My New World Anemone Redux. 36×36″ Oil on gallery wrapped canvas
This oil painting creates a compelling fusion between earthly botany and cosmic wonder. The central anemone bursts from the canvas with the energy of a solar flare, its petals curling like waves of stellar energy. The deep purple and magenta palette bridges the gap between garden blooms and nebulae, while the flower’s center resembles a dark cosmic body surrounded by scattered stardust. The background’s atmospheric swirls blur the boundary between floral study and space art.
Cosmic Daylily Trio- 48×24″ Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas-
Cosmic Daylily Trio is an Oil Painting on Gallery Wrapped Canvas, that was inspired by the vibrant life in my garden and abstractly by images of the galaxy in which we are a part of. Drawing inspiration from the vibrant community of life in my garden, my flowers invite universal questions of existence and purpose in their quest for survival, eventual senescence, and rebirth.
Cosmic Camellias-24×36″ Gallery Wrapped Oil on Canvas
Cosmic Camellias explores the profound connection between the celestial and terrestrial worlds. Inspired by NASA’s Webb telescope imagery, the painting merges the vast cosmos with the intimate beauty of garden flowers. The acrylic background captures the textured depths of space, while delicate oil glazes render translucent camellias that seem to float in this celestial realm. The flowers’ luminous petals echo the glow of distant nebulae, suggesting a universal harmony that links the infinite expanse of space with the delicate ecosystems of Earth. This dialogue between macro and micro speaks to the interconnected nature of all existence.
Cosmic Phalaenopsis-24×24″ Oil on deep Cradled Hardboard
There is harmony and community needed for survival, whether in the universe or in the garden. We rely on others to maintain the balance needed in the cosmos but also for all of life here on earth. This painting is a blending of both those worlds.
Cosmic White Lotus-24×24″ Oil on deep Cradled Hardboard
Merging a background inspired by the Cosmic universe seen by the Webb telescope with the universe of nature represented by the single flower from the garden, both the micro and macro visions of our worlds are represented in one artwork bringing to mind the need for community, balance and harmony in order for all of us to survive.
Cosmic Brugmansia Trio. 40×30 Gallery Wrapped Oil on Canvas
Cosmic Brugmansia Trio is an Oil Painting on Gallery Wrapped Canvas, that was inspired by the flowers on the tropical brugmansia plant I have been overwintering for years and abstractly by images of the galaxy in which we are a part. Drawing inspiration from the vibrant community of life in my garden, my flowers invite universal questions of existence and purpose in their quest for survival, eventual senescence, and rebirth.
Meditative Journey-Immortality Iris. 24×24″ Acrylic & Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
“Meditative Journey – Immortality Iris”, is an abstract acrylic underpainting with a floral image of an iris glazed over the surface using oil paints. These two sources of imagery are merging and mingling their message. The piece invites a contemplative, mindful engagement with its energetic yet tranquil interplay of colors and shapes.
Passion Red Dahlia. 30×30″ Gallery Wrapped Oil on Canvas
A Red Dahlia growing in my garden was the original inspiration for this painting. After I began the painting though, it began to take on a life of its own and this intensity of emotion poured forth. It was a joy to unleash this enthusiastic response.
Subtle Exhuberance – Tree Peony. 36×36″ Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas.
Pay Attention Here – Orange Hibiscus
36×36″ Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
STATEMENT
For decades, I have honed a unique artistic approach that intertwines technique, philosophy, and symbolism. My work currently is deeply rooted in the microcosm of my garden. This ecosystem reflects the delicate balance and interconnectedness found in both nature and human communities.
My art delves into universal questions of purpose, survival, and renewal. In my work, viewers are invited to explore the essential harmony required for all life to thrive. The garden’s cycles of growth, senescence, and rebirth provide a tangible context for understanding the qualities necessary for a healthy, productive life – both in nature and in human communities.
Utilizing an intricate process of layering paint, I blend abstraction and realism to transform seemingly simple imagery into profound visual narratives. This technique mirrors the complexity of existence, inviting viewers to contemplate the depths beneath surface appearances.
Through the philosophy embedded in my art, I aim to provoke thought and foster a greater appreciation for the delicate equilibrium that sustains us all, encouraging a more profound understanding of our interconnected existence.
“If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly our whole life would change” -Buddha
Solo Invitational Art Exhibitions & Events
| 2024 | The Atelier at Flowerfields. St. James NY. Solo Invitational. “Not Just Another Pretty Flower”. April-May |
| 2023 | Bayard Cutting Arboretum. Great River. NY. Solo Invitational. May-June |
| 2022 | Karen & Ed Adler Gallery. PWPL. Solo Invitational. Port Washington NY |
| 2020 | OMNI Gallery. Uniondale NY. “The Flower Show”. January – June |
| 2019 | Ashawagh Hall East Hampton NY. Invitational. “Contemplations”. June Farmingdale State College. Memorial Gallery. Invitational. June & 2021 Huntington Arts Center. Featured Artist. June-Sept. |
| 2018 | The Bridgehampton Museum. Market + Art Show. July 5-8 Bayard Cutting Arboretum. Great River, NY. Solo Invitational. “Floral Contemplations-A Duality of Vision” May-June |
| 2016 | Bayard Cutting Arboretum. Great River, NY. “Gardens Revisited”. Solo Invitational. May/July |
Juried Competitions & Awards
| 2024 | Permanent Impermanence. South Dartmouth, MA. Spring Fling. FotoFoto Gallery. Huntington NY. May 2024 Primary Colors. The Art Guild. Port Washington NY |
| 2022 | Emerging Artists. Heckscher Museum. Huntington NY National Heritage Trust. Olmstead Symposium at Bayard Cutting Arboretum |
| 2018-19 | Beamsderfer Gallery. Highland Park. NJ. “Real/Unreal” Islip Art Museum. Islip NY. “The Art of Collaborating” Mills Pond House. Smithtown NY. Juror James Rubin. “Time” Slide Slam Presentation. Sponsored by the Patchogue Arts Coalition. The Bridgehampton Museum. Bridgehampton NY. Market + Art Show |
Memberships
- National Association of Women Artists. NAWA. NYC – 2018-Present
- Allied Artists. New York NY.
- Artists Alliance of East Hampton. East Hampton NY.
- Art League of Long Island. Dix Hills NY
- Guild Hall. Easthampton. NY
- Huntington Arts Council. Huntington. NY
- Islip Arts Council
- LI Museum of Art. Stony Brook NY
- Mills Pond House Gallery. Smithtown Arts Council. Smithtown NY.
- MOCA Museum. Patchogue NY
- Northport Arts Coalition. Northport NY
Lectures/Public Speaking
- 2023-2024. Presenter. Professional Business Practices for Artists. Round Table Discussion Series. National Association of Women Artists.
- May 2021. Invited Speaker. Noon With NAWA. “Social Media for Beginners”
- August 2019. Invited Speaker. Three Village Garden Club. “From the Garden to the Wall. Design Concepts Used When Creating a Painting and Creating a Garden”.
- January 2019. Slide Slam. Juried Presentation. Sponsored by the Patchogue Arts Coalition.
- June 2018. Invited Speaker. Bayard Cutting Arboretum, Great River NY. “Contemplations – The Duality of Vision”
- September 2017. Invited Speaker. American Rhododendron Society, Long Island Chapter. “From the Garden to the Wall. Design Concepts Used When Creating a Painting and Creating a Garden”.
- March 2015. Invited Speaker, Long Island Horticultural Society. “From the Garden to the Wall”.
- March 2014. Invited Speaker in conjunction with a One-Person Art Show. “From the Garden to the Wall”. A Conversation About Workflow & Process in Creating Digital and Traditional Mixed Media Art. Sponsored by: Harborfields Library & Centerport Garden Club.
- August 2013. Invited Speaker. “From the Garden to the Wall”. A Conversation About Workflow & Process in Creating Digital and Traditional Mixed Media Art. Sponsored by: Huntington Arts Council.
Publications
- Canvas Rebel. Life and Work With Mary Ahern. November 2024.
- Sanctuary Magazine. Columnist. Aging Gracefully by Finding Creative Ways to Continue Doing the Things I Enjoy Nov 2024, A Strategy To Embrace: Life Long Learning. September 2024, Awakenings in the Garden: An Artist’s Journey. July 2024, Women Helping Women: A Recipe for Success. March 2024, Contemplating a Career in the Arts. November 2023
- Canvas Rebel. Meet Mary Ahern. August 2023
- Sanctuary Magazine. My Dual Passions. September 2023.
- Elysian Magazine. Women Inspiring Women. NAWA: The Original Art Influencers by Suzanne Johnson. Fall 2021.
- Fine Art Connoisseur. Changing the Narrative for Women in Art. 2-23-2021 by Cherie Dawn Haas.
- National Association of Women Artists. Featured Artist. NAWA NOW. Fall 2020 Newsletter.
- Artist’s Spotlight. Light Space and Time. February 2019.
- Arts Business Institute. Artist Profile. August 17, 2018
- Hamptons Art Hub. Portfolio: Mary Ahern’s Floral Portraits Entwine Nature, Art & Life Examined. June 2018.
Education
- Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration. New York Botanical Garden.
- A.S. Ornamental Horticulture. Farmingdale State. Robert J. Rodler Scholarship. Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
- BA. Queens College. Major in Fine Arts. Cum Laude & Fine Arts Award of Distinction.
- Post-graduate work in Computer Science. Columbia University.
- Life-Long Learning in workshops across the United States online & in-person.
- Marketing with Tony Robbins, Seth Godin & Alyson Stanfield.