The Charleston Artist Guild presents “Meditations in Silver & Gold: Bird Paintings Reimagined” by wildlife artist, Amanda McLenon, featured artist for the month of February. The exhibit will be on display from February 1 through 28, 2019. Peaceful images of egrets, herons and other birds will be the focus in her recognizable impressionistic style. Expect to see the ancient technique of reverse painting on glass, soft pastels, gold and metal leaf, acrylic, watercolor, and oil paint. Parts of Amanda’s process will be revealed in sketches and studies, and for the first time, Amanda will also hold an artist talk at 3pm the day of the opening, to share her journey and reveal the new works.

Amanda McLenon is a scientist who became a full time artist completely by surprise. She moved to Charleston, SC, in 2006 from Michigan, where she was a professional high school biology teacher. At the College of Charleston, she earned her Masters degree in marine biology, and she started painting wildlife as a pastime during her studies. Since graduating, Amanda has continued to support scientific causes as an Ambassador to the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center™, a scientist on a 53-day Antarctica research cruise, and a volunteer with various turtle nest monitor organizations. However, her full time passion and career since 2012 has been her artwork. She is a juried exhibitor at the annual Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, Charleston Farmers Market, and several other shows along the East coast of the US. She received the prestigious Lowcountry Artist of the Year award in 2012 and her work is collected locally and abroad.

Please join us for the opening reception on Friday, February 1^st, 2019, at the CAG Gallery, from 5-8pm. Amanda is asking for participants to vote for the most calming, meditative image during the opening reception of “Meditations in Silver and Gold” at the Charleston Artist Guild Gallery, located at 160 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC.