Artist celebrates new series with Dec. 4 party, month-long show at Honeycomb

Wildlife artist Amanda McLenon is fresh off a successful exhibit at Piccolo Spoleto. And a move to Daniel Island. Oh, and a 40th birthday. But she is not yet finished creating reasons to celebrate, or actually doing that celebrating, in 2015.

On Friday, December 4, from 6 to 9 p.m., the new resident will hold a release party for her new series, “Feathers and Folly,” at the Honeycomb Café. This evening soiree will offer a true first look at her eagerly-anticipated latest work. A former marine biologist, ever-dedicated to supporting wildlife and the preservation of its habitats, McLenon will also be fielding recommendations for her 2016 art-tied philanthropy. Last year, she backed South Carolina Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rescue program.

We shared some of McLenon’s backstory ahead of Piccolo Spoleto in the June 3 issue of the Daniel Island News. This time around, we get to dig more into her perpetually inspired work and upcoming event and December-long display at The Honeycomb.

Jennifer Johnston: First of all, how was Piccolo Spoleto with Austin Grace Smith? Was your collaboration well-received?

Amanda McLenon: Folks seemed to really enjoy the collaborations and the stories behind them, but what sold the most at Piccolo Spoleto were my original paintings of pelicans. 2015 has been the year of the pelican for me! 2014 was the year of the turtle, as most of what I sold were prints of my painting, “Folly,” (the loggerhead over the Charleston chart), but 2015 was definitely when I made the transition to birds.

JJ: Let’s talk about this next series of yours, Feathers and Folly. How does this follow the natural evolution of your artistry? Is there anything that is a surprise departure from your “typical” approach?

AM: Since the favorable reception of my work at Piccolo Spoleto last year, I have continued to focus on large-scale paintings of birds on canvas. My pieces that folks were calling “white-on-white” were very subdued, peaceful white egrets preening with white backgrounds and very subtle colors. The surprise departure in the new series, “Feathers and Folly” is, as the name suggests, a little more fun and play with color. This new series will feature birds but will play with brighter, bolder colors.

JJ: It might be helpful for the lay-person to know what it means to have an art series. Is there forethought given to how many pieces it will contain, how long it will take, and what connective features will keep it cohesive?

AM: A painting series is a way to explore variations on a theme or subject. There is usually planning that goes into a series, depending on your goal. For the current series that will be released December 4, I am just exploring something new. I am painting what I feel and seeing what happens. This is the least planned series I have done yet!

JJ: What can you share about the pieces you are creating for nurseries and kids’ rooms, and what has inspired this effort?

AM: My niece Lillian, who is in Montessori school in NC, was part of the inspiration for a nursery series, as the Montessori approach encourages realistic art and toys. The central piece will be the stork named “Special Delivery.” These will be biologically and anatomically correct animals for kids’ rooms that have little lessons or quotes with them. The wood stork is what we would see here in the Lowcountry. He is carrying a basket made of moss and feathers and twigs and the “baby” inside is left to the imagination. I have always been a naturalist, and I also love the classic storybook characters like foxes, badgers, and rabbits. This is my opportunity to weave some of that passion into some pieces and make them educational, too. One other preview from this set: I created a triptych (three painting set) of the nine-banded armadillo. We all imagine armadillos rolling into balls, but it turns out this species we have in the U.S. cannot roll up - but in my painting, he does. And the painting is called “If you think you CAN.”

JJ: What work will you be showing at Honeycomb, and will any of it be for sale? Are you taking custom orders of any kind (particularly for nursery/kids’ room works), or permitting yourself to be commissioned?

AM: During the release party I will have the “Feathers and Folly” series on display. I will also have giclee prints and pillows and previous work available that night for sale. The work I will hang at Honeycomb for the month of December will be a variety- a couple pieces from the new series, some framed giclees, and probably a couple of my map pieces as well. I am taking custom orders of prints of the stork, with name, weight, etc. printed on them. And I am always taking commissions for original paintings on canvas or over maps. However, I have received a lot of commissions lately and I only have space for a few more custom orders for holiday delivery!

JJ: Please share details about the December 4 event, and perhaps a hint of what you’ll be giving away?

AM: The December 4th event will be a celebration with light hors d’oeuvres, beer, and wine. It is also an exclusive sneak-peak at the new work and the first opportunity to purchase them. I am also celebrating my engagement to Mike and my move to Daniel Island. This is a way to introduce myself to the community. I will have other items available for last-minute holiday shopping, including framed prints and my art pillows at the event. The giveaways will include a pillow, print, and maybe even an original painting (worth $1,200-$1,800… TBD). Previews of these will be posted in a blog before my event, and in my newsletter which folks can sign up for at www.amandamclenon.com.

JJ: How does the December 4 event tie into your charity support, and your determination of what you will get behind in 2016?

AM: I will have a guest book for folks to sign in, and give me recommendations for charities to support in 2016. I am always seeking ways to have my art reconnect with greater causes, and thought I would ask my patrons for ideas for this next year.

Daniel Island Publishing

225 Seven Farms Drive
Unit 108
Daniel Island, SC 29492 

Office Number: 843-856-1999
Fax Number: 843-856-8555

 

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