One of the methods I use to visualize my Art is to take snapshots of my models and modify them on my computer. Since I’m not a photographer I only have a small point and shoot camera that I use to take photos in my garden or in my studio.
I took this snapshot of these orange tulips using natural light in my studio
I import these snapshots onto my computer and using Photoshop I delete the backgrounds, modify the colors and otherwise play around with the image. I print the images from my Epson printers onto matte cardstock papers.
Using Photoshop on my Mac, I play around with colors and composition
Then, using Winsor Newton watercolors, I put down my first layer of paint. Once dry I used my set of Prismacolor colored pencils to draw over the watercolor.
In this Mixed Media Art work I used colored pencil over watercolor
For some reason I find this process to be very relaxing and meditative for me. If I need some calmness in my life, I can go to my studio at any time and pick up right where I left off. No fuss, no muss, no bother.
There are so many ways to create paintings. As an Artist who has been creating for over 35 years I have developed a variety of methods to arrive at my finished work. Sometimes it is interesting to get a peek behind the process, so here is one style I enjoy.
Snapshot of some Orange Tulips I used as the basis of this series of Art works
Since I’m not a photographer, I take snapshot of flowers I either buy or grow. I usually select them for color or just for form. I find myself attracted to large bold shapes rather than the more frilly inflorescences. I then decide what mediums I will work in and whether there will be one finished Art work in one or more mediums or whether the work will be part of a series.
I love creating tonal drawings so I often do a finished piece in graphite before I start a painting just because I like the feel of drawing. It also is a great way to work out values of highlights and shading.
Tonal drawing of a tulip. I use a pair of magnifying lenses which I hook onto my bifocals to help me see the details
If the work is part of a series, I need to imagine the size of each piece and the total overall impression I’m looking for. This ups the level of complexity considerably and actually makes for quite a nice challenge to my visual imagination and my technical consistency.
For a series of work I need to choose the size of each work and the size of the overall series.
I also need to create a composition that stands alone as well as works for the series.
I used my altered snapshots to help me come up with my composition in this series
My work must not only be accomplished to my own standards for each piece but it must be consistent across all the work. This can be tricky if you don’t create all the work during the same or close to the same period of time.
If you want to see a truly joyful Art show go visit the Joseph Raffael show at the Nancy Hoffman Gallery at 520 West 27th St in Chelsea New York. The show will be there until January 10, 2010. Go soon since you might like to go back a second time.
Blossoms and Sky by Joseph Raffael
Visiting this show brought such a burst of the voluptuous joy of color and passion to an otherwise gray day that I was compelled to share it with others.
Joseph Raffael douses himself in his watercolors. His colors flood and pool in the most controlled display of virtuosity I’ve ever seen in this medium. Though in this show his subject matter seems to be primarily flowers, his style is the antithesis of botanical illustration.
As a matter of fact, Elisabeth, my fellow Artist friend and I gallery hopped to this show on the heels of a visit to the ASBA (American Society of Botanical Artists) show at The Horticultural Society of NY. The contrast of two exquisite art forms, both employing watercolor and using flowers as subject, was astounding.
I made a video from some images I took at the show and posted it on YouTube in case you’d like to get an idea what to expect.
For an extra treat I would suggest visiting Joseph Raffael’s website and taking some time to view the meditative videos of him as he paints.
Take a moment to calm down and become immersed in the process of Art. It will make your day. It always does so for me.
I have donated one of my Krinkled Peony Digital/Traditional Mixed Media Paintings to the Huntington Arts Council, annual silent auction fundraiser. This piece is a combination of Digital painting and Traditional Colored Pencils.
The finished mixed media painting is matted & finished in a 16×16″ natural wood color frame.
Bidding is underway at the Main Street Petite Gallery. Almost 50 artist members of the Huntington Arts Council have donated original work in oils, watercolor, photography, prints, diamond and topaz jewelry, silk and more. Bidding opportunities start at $25, and go until 6 p.m. on Friday, December 4.
This is a great chance to own an original piece of art or purchase one as a gift for a favorite relative or friend. Stop by the gallery at 213 Main Street in Huntington, two blocks east of New York Avenue, to see both the art and all the raffle items.
Poster for the L’Art Pour L’Art Silent Auction for the Huntington Arts Council
The proceeds support the exhibition programs of the Arts Council’s two galleries. Some of the wonderful raffle items are: a pair of subscription tickets for the Long Island Philharmonic; gift certificates for Besito, Honu, RED Restaurant and others; and theater and movie passes.
The gallery will be open for the duration of the auction Friday evenings until 8 p.m. and from 1 to 5 p.m. on the first three Saturdays of November. A “Rockin’ Sock Puppet Making Workshop” is on tap for kids ages 5 to 11 on Saturday, November 14 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Then on November 21 at 2 p.m., some of the donating artists will be at the gallery to talk about their work.
Original art from oils to watercolors to pastels to gold and diamond jewelry will be available for bidding starting Friday, Nov. 6 as the Huntington Arts Council’s “L’Art Pour L’Art” opens with a gala reception from 6 to 8 p.m.
The festivities take place at the Arts Council’s Main Street Petite Gallery, 213 Main St., Huntington. The silent auction fundraiser runs until 6 p.m. on December 4, providing the public an opportunity to “bring art to life” by taking home a stunning work of art.
Florence L. Dallari, assistant director of the Huntington Arts Council, stated, “The Huntington Arts Council is appreciative of all of the artists and businesses that support this fundraiser. An original piece of art can be yours for as low as $25 and you can purchase a raffle for just $5. We encourage the community to visit our gallery during this month-long event to enjoy one of the benefits of living in Huntington.”
The proceeds support the exhibition programs of the Arts Council’s two galleries. Along with more than 40 pieces of art, some of the raffle items are a pair of subscription tickets for the Long Island Philharmonic, gift certificates for Besito, Honu, RED Restaurant and others, as well as theater and movie passes.
The gallery will be open for the duration of the auction Friday evenings until 8 p.m. and from 1 to 5 p.m. on the first three Saturdays of November. A “Rockin’ Sock Puppet Making Workshop” is on tap for kids ages 5 to 11 on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Space for this project, where kids will make the puppets and put on their very own puppet shows, is limited, so call 631-271-8423 ext. 14 to make your reservations early. Then on Nov. 21 at 2 p.m., some of the donating artists will be at the gallery to talk about their work. More information is available at the Arts Council’s Web site, www.huntingtonarts.org, or by calling 631-271-8423.
Artists Supporters:
Mary Ahern, Irene Andreadis, Shain Bard, Charles Blake, Edith Rae Brown, Ethel Brown Camhi, Victoria Carlin, Joseph Constantino, Susanne Corbelletta, George D’Amato, Sandi Daniel, Sandro Diani, Lillian Dodson, Michael Fairchild, Jim Finlayson, Holly Gordon, William Grabowski, Jahn Guarino, Ed Hall, David Haussler, David Jaycox, Jr., Andrew Jiritano, Kate Kelly, Herb Knopp, Anita Lamb, Lisle, William Low, Diane Lundegaard, Edward McEvoy, Kevin W. McEvoy, Jane McGraw-Teubner, Rhoda Needlman, Cecil Pang. Jack Pierce, Vivian Pollack, Renee Reichert, Mara Sfara, Marie Sheehy-Walker, Joseph J. Stelmach, Donald Thiergard, Tonito Valderrama, Von Schmidt, Lois Walker, Stokely Webster, Barbara White, M. Ellen Winter, Elizabeth Yaar & more…….
Raffle Sponsors:
Besito, Bottles and Cases, Canterbury Ales, Cinema Arts Center, Ciro Spa, Honu Kitchen & Cocktail, Jacqueline-Fine Jewelry, John W. Engeman Theater, Jonathan’s Ristorante, L. I. Philharmonic, Mediterranean Snack Bar, Mundays, Northport Tasting Room & Wine Celler, Prime, Red, Theater Three, Universal Touch Massage
Mary Ahern is an artist member of the Huntington Arts Council. Much of her art is inspired by her garden, a piece of art in its own right that is constantly changing. Her husband, Dave, often comments that her plants seem to be on wheels since Mary is constantly moving her plants from flowerbed to flowerbed. She uses the texture and color of the plants to create beautiful works of art in her garden.
In Northport NY the peonies bloom in June
Walking through Mary’s garden and listening to her speak about it reveals how much thought was put behind each and every placement. Mary uses her plants to create artwork just as she uses oil paint. Each plant has specific colors or textures that can be used to compliment or contrast the other plants it is put with. Certain beds of flowers are based on the color of those certain plants, i.e., mixing deep reds with frosted greens. Others are based on the texture of the plant, i.e. small leaves, low ground covering, etc.
However it doesn’t stop there. Each of these flowerbeds is incorporated into the garden as a whole and even the pathways that flow between each have been carefully laid out. The flowers that Ahern cultivates influence her artwork greatly. She likes to have samples of the subjects she is working on around her. “I’m not trying to duplicate what a camera can do. I’m interpreting in a realistic style how I see the subject.”
The Krinkled White is a single peony prized for its simplicity
When you step into Mary’s home and studio, it is as though the garden is continuing inside as well. Her art work adorns the walls and upstairs in the studio her love for the garden is transformed into pieces of art.
Mary was first introduced to gardening by her Uncle Teddy who was a gardener himself. “Every time we visited, I loved to help him in the garden and when I acquired my first plant at around the age of five, I made it very clear to everyone in my family that I was the only one allowed to care for it. Since I have always held a passion for the garden, it was only natural that it showed up in my artwork.”
Mary uses many different mediums to create her works of art. They include oils, watercolors, and digital painting. The amount of care and detail incorporated in each piece is absolutely astounding. She creates Digital Flower and Shell Paintings as well as paintings using Traditional media.
Mary has been digitally designing for over 25 years now. She first started at Chyron Corporation, located in Melville, working in Sales and Marketing Positions. Later, Mary began her own graphic design company called Online Design which, at that time, was one of the few to be 100% digital.
Although Mary Ahern has been painting for over 30 years now, as a young child she never really became interested in the arts. Music was a large influence during her high school years: she was in the band and even conducted, which was rare for a women to do during that time.
It wasn’t until Mary was in her 20’s that she became interested in art, when one of her friends gave her a book about the work of the artist, Georgia O’Keeffe This influenced her to take a class at the local Y and when she picked up the paintbrush she knew it was her calling. “The paintbrush seemed like an extension of my arm. Since then art has never been a hobby but a part of my life.” She went on from there and got a degree in Fine Arts from Queens College and has been creating ever since.
Four different background treatments of the Krinkled White Peony
For those interested in pursuing a career in the arts Mary’s advice is to develop business and marketing skills in addition to the skills you develop to create your Art. The web and social networking sites make marketing available to everyone. “Whether it’s a website, a blog and alsoTwitter, Facebook or a combination, it is important for potential buyers to see the artist behind the paintings because that also helps to sell your art.”
She believes that a career in the arts is a very tough “glamour” business and you must have entrepreneurial skills as well as lots of determination to be successful. Mary Ahern also states that there are not many things more rewarding then to have someone who has purchased one of her Fine Art pieces tell her how much pleasure they have received every day from seeing her work hanging in their home It makes her smile.
• To see some of her beautiful artwork, head over to her website,
This article was derived from an interview with Mary Ahern, The Garden-Artist by Diane Brown and produced by Dianne Matus of the Huntington Arts Council.
Great Cow Harbor Day is celebrated each year in the picturesque town of Northport, Long Island, NY.
The parade begins at noon on Sunday, September 27, 2009 and the day of festivities continues through 5pm.
I have just received my booth assignment.
Find me at Booth # 8 in the same location as last year, on the path closest to the harbor. That’s easy.
My booth will be located in the same position as last year’s Great Cow Harbor Day overlooking the harbor.
I will be showing and selling my Botanical Fine Art Digital Paintings. My Art is inspired by my gardens, so drop by and talk to me about your gardens and all the success you’ve had this year since we had so much rain.
Stroll along the beautiful Northport Harbor and enjoy the full day of family fun activities
I found this explanation of Cow Harbor Day in Wikipedia:
Cow Harbor Day is an annual festival celebrating the history of the village of Northport, New York, which was once known as Great Cow Harbor. It is held annually on the Sunday of the third full weekend in September, always following the Great Cow Harbor 10K held on the Saturday before.
Cow Harbor Day draws thousand of visitors to Northport each September. Events kick off with a parade down Main Street, featuring floats, the areas best high school marching bands, antique cars and a temporary resurrection of the trolley that was once commonplace along this route. Bovine related costumes and floats are also a common theme. Celebrations are held at Northport Memorial Park at the harbor’s edge with live music, boat races, and other attractions. For the past two years, the parade has been led by the US Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary Band from the local Ft. Salonga, NY Flotilla. Each year an appearance is made by the Regimental Band of the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY and Northport High School Marching Band and flag team.
Since 1977, there has also been a popular 10 kilometer footrace, the Great Cow Harbor 10K, which always takes place the day before Cow Harbor Day. The New York Road Runners Club considers the race an important run-up to the annual New York City Marathon, and practicing runners can be seen charging up the local hills starting in August.
As a side note, my husband Dave is running in the Great Cow Harbor 10K the day before the show. I sure hope he’s recovered enough to help me set up the booth!
The historic use of limiting editions of prints was during a time when prints were made from art carved or drawn onto stone, wood or other surfaces that degraded with use. As more impressions were made the surface wore out and the image became less crisp. Limiting the quantity of the printing run helped to control the quality of the print and of course the value.
Digital printing does not suffer from this problem since there is no degradation in resolution, or crispness, from one print to the next. In fact, what can happen as technology evolves and equipment gets better and faster, later prints may be of higher quality then original prints made years earlier in the cycle.
New Technology Offers New Forms of Creativity
So how do I offer my customers a solution to their desire for a unique piece of my Art rather then the Open Edition pieces I generally offer?
Custom Art Work Created Just For You
Custom Editions brings my customers into a collaborative effort in the artistic process of helping me to create a unique Art Work specific for their home or office design ideas.
I have pledged to donate 20% of the sales of my Digital Paintings, “Bleeding Heart”, and “Kansas Peonies”, to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization supporting breast cancer research.
Why I am making this offer.
First of all, I have too many girlfriends who have been affected by this disease.
Secondly, as I traveled to various states doing Fine Arts Festivals, I realized that an unusual number of women were buying these pretty pink flower prints for themselves, their sisters, mothers or girlfriends.
“Bleeding Heart” – Designer Print – 8×10 or 11×14
During conversations with these women, I began to be aware of how many of my Pink Botanical Prints were being given as gifts to women struggling with Breast Cancer.
One woman came to tell me that she had bought a large framed Kansas Peony piece from me previously and that she had hung it opposite her bed so it would be the first thing she saw each morning. I was so moved by this. I was proud to be part of her struggle.
If you prefer to order from me directly please feel free to call me at: 631-757-9459. I accept MasterCard & Visa by phone. For security purposes do not send me your credit card information by email.
I’ve just created a series of digital paintings of a Krinkled White Peony that was blooming in my garden this past June.
For my inspiration I chose an herbaceous white single peony that was introduced into cultivation in 1928. The plant grows to about 3 feet tall and wide. This year with all the rain it grew so very tall that I had to add a peony cage to one of them since it was so heavy due to the huge amount of flowers that it produced.
A single white “Krinkled Peony” which grew in my garden this June.
The petals are so delicate they remind me of crepe paper that I used to use when I made my paper flowers as a child. The golden yellow stamens add a dramatic accent.
One of the very rare sunny spots in my garden hosts the peonies.
I’ve been tending this plant for over a decade and a few years ago moved it from a rather shady location where it bloomed each year but didn’t flourish. Though most of my garden is in some percentage of shade I decided to divide and transplant this perennial into the sunniest part of my garden. Since then it has more than tripled the amount of flowers it produces.
In this series of work I’ve decided to augment the dramatic simplicity of the single peony with different colored backgrounds. Each of these pieces will work individually but they also work as a group.
Single White Peony series of digital paintings.
As with many of my other works, I offer these digital paintings in a variety of sizes and framing treatments. These Fine Art works are available on Fine Art paper and also on UV treated canvas either framed or gallery wrapped.
If a specific design plan comes to mind, I can also customize the color backgrounds to suit the creative intent.
I will be showing these Art Works for the first time at the Northport Art in the Park, Saturday, July 25, 2009 from noon until 5pm.
Hope you can stop by the show and say hello. If you can’t and you would like to find out more about my work, you can contact me on Facebook, Twitter, my website MaryAhernArtist.com and here on my blog by posting a comment.
I saw this wonderful flower arranging video on YouTube. I want to share it with you since it is so clear and shows the creative mind at work. In this video Jane Godschalk takes us through a flower arranging technique from the book Flower Arranging the American Way by Nancy D’Oench, Deen Day Sanders and Mike [...] […]
Plectranthus and other members of the Lamiaceae family, like Coleus, are easy to propagate. These tender perennials are not hardy in my Zone 6 garden so before frost I bring in a few of my favorite plants as stock plants. If the plants are small enough I overwinter them in a pot with soil and [...] […]
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Featured Product
These Frameable Note Card Boxed Collections are created from the Traditional Fine Art paintings of Mary Ahern.
These Blank Cards are packaged in a clear box and tied with a raffia ribbon and tag.
A perfect ready-made gift for yourself and others.
What wonderful gardening weather. I've filled 3 bags of weeds so far & I'm getting a great workout. Today I can skip the gym! 2010/08/15
Centerport Garden Club Flower Show. May 20-21 at Harborfields Library in Greenlawn. Horticulture & Floral Design. The competition is fierce! 2010/05/17
Centerport Garden Club plant sale Friday May 7th from 10am-2pm. Harborfields Library Circle, Greenlawn NY. Great plants from great women! 2010/05/06
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