Mary Gehley is a southern California native whose colorful mixed-media work reflects the ethos of the California lifestyle. She developed a love of nature through regular camping trips to surrounding mountains, deserts and beaches and her creative expression was encouraged while sewing and crafting with her grandmothers. While her career path took her in a different direction, she returned to her creative roots later in life, teaching gourd art through classes and videos.
Aspiring to learn more about art, she took local workshops, completed extensive online courses with artists Nicholas Wilton, Louise Fletcher and Gabriel Lipper, and studies life drawing with Riverside artist Chick Curtis. Her art was part of a group show at Division 9 Gallery, Riverside, and Mary was Spotlight Artist at RCAA Gallery. In 2023 she had a solo show in Claremont Village and was featured artist at The Arts Colony Corona. In 2025 she had a solo show at Bookman bookstore in Orange, CA.
Working mainly in mixed media and acrylics, her work dances with a sense of movement, saturated color, expressive marks and a touch of fine detail. She works intuitively and loves to experiment, boldly asking “what if?”. Collectors describe her abstract expressionist art as colorful, joyous, whimsical, engaging, and evocative.
