Mary Gehley is a mixed media artist driven by curiosity, a love of color, and a fascination with how

contrast reveals connection. Raised in a family of creatives, she was immersed in the art world from an

early age, spending summers assisting her grandmother backstage at Pageant of the Masters in Laguna

Beach. Born and raised in Southern California, Mary draws inspiration from the region’s layered beauty

and cultural diversity. A self-taught artist working primarily with acrylic paint, collage, and an array of

mark-making tools, she builds her surfaces in layers to create textural depth and a sense of history. By

sanding back and reworking areas, she reveals what has come before — honoring the idea that opposing

elements and past and present can coexist in meaningful dialogue. Her award-winning work is held in

private and corporate collections locally and internationally.