We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Amanda McLenon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Amanda below.

Amanda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I have taken professional leaps a few times in my life, and took a risk with each one. Early in my undergraduate career, I transferred out of the school of engineering and into biology education. I immediately felt relief and a sense that I was on the correct path. I taught high school biology for about 7 years. In need of a break, I applied for a sabbatical to live on a sailboat and work for the National Ocean Service studying coral. I moved from Michigan to Charleston, SC and also started a Masters degree in Marine Biology. After completing this degree, I made my most recent leap was from the lab to the painting studio. The day after I gave notice to my lab advisor that I was leaving, I was offered a large painting commission, and I never looked back. I have been a full time artist now for 11 years.

Amanda, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My career as a full time fine art painter started with a chance experiment with paint, when I realized I had a natural talent. I started my career as a high school biology teacher and after a Masters degree in marine biology I worked as a lab manager studying climate change. During my studies I started painting wildlife, and I made the leap 11 years ago to full time artist. I specialize in large scale, custom oil paintings. I am recognized for graceful, peaceful portraits of great white egrets and other wading birds, in oil. I add 23 karat gold leaf backgrounds and details reminiscent of historic iconography. I am honored that my work has been collected locally and internationally, and most recently the iconic Charleston Place Hotel in Charleston SC added my work to their collection. I rely on my photography and background in biology for accuracy, but what I communicate through my work is emotion. I love to work with warm, dramatic light.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding thing about being an artist is that I have the opportunity to have an emotional impact on people. There are times that my artwork invokes tears, or a smile, or a memory. I love that I get to share these moments with other humans. This is such a unique way to connect and have an impact. I often have collectors tell me what they feel or they are reminded of every time they see my work in their homes, and this is my motivation to keep creating. The other rewarding aspect is that I am able to educate through my work. As a former teacher and marine biologist, one of my goals is to start conversations about the wildlife I am painting, the ecosystem we share with them.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My first year as an artist, I had weeks that my income was -$30. This was the amount of my rent for my space at the Charleston Farmers Market. The struggle getting started as a business owner was real. There were many months that I was unsure whether or not I made the right choice leaving the marine biology lab to be a full time fine artist. I had to be super creative to get though this time. I stuck with it though, and now 11 years later, I have a successful career.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.amandamclenon.com
• Instagram: amandamclenon
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amandamclenonart/