Amanda McLenon is a conservationist at heart who started her career teaching high school biology in Michigan, and completed her Masters in marine biology in SC in 2011. Completely unexpectedly, she began painting in 2009, in reverse on glass, and incorporating maps she had collected over the years. Amanda was quickly recognized for her accurate wildlife paintings and unique style, and in 2012 she received the prestigious L​owcountry Artist of th​e Year ​award. More recently, Amanda’s passions are reflected in her large scale oil paintings on canvas, and her focus on birds in graceful preening positions. Amanda was part of a 53-day research cruise to Antarctica, and she is an Ambassador to the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Rescue Program. The first 10 years of her career were spent in Charleston, SC where she exhibited at the Charleston Farmers Market, Piccolo Spoleto, and the Southeastern Wildlife Expo. She moved to the mountains of WNC in 2022. Amanda's working studio is currently in Riverside Studios, and her large scale custom paintings are displayed at Asheville Fine Art Gallery. This new gallery is on the main floor of the Cotton Mill Building next to Guajiro Cuban Restaurant,. Amanda and her life partner and fellow artist Jonathan Bidwell opened Asheville Fine Art Gallery in the spring of 2026. They specialize in approachable but custom, archival fine art paintings in oil.