My name is Amanda Levine and I am a budding marine biologist from New York. In the Spring of 2013, I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Vertebrate Biology and Environmental Studies at Stony Brook University. Starting in the fall of 2014, I was back at Stony Brook to pursue a Master's in Marine Conservation and Policy. I pursued classes involving fisheries management and physical oceanography with the hopes of one day becoming a fishery manager or restoration biologist on Long Island. I also traveled to Belize for a class specifically about Marine Protected Areas and shark research. As the final piece to my Master's, I was given a stipend through Stony Brook University to intern with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Southeast Fisheries Science Center in Miami, Florida as a scientific illustrator. There, I created a new, more detailed time series of larval lionfish to help scientists and conservationists control the invasion in the Atlantic. In August 2015, I graduated with my Master's.
Over the past few years, I have worked at a number of organizations to educate people about marine organisms and habitats, including the Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center, Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery and Aquarium, Peconic Estuary Program, and Ward Melville Heritage Organization. I have also volunteered at a number of marine science and fisheries labs at Stony Brook University and as part of Cornell Cooperative Extension here in Suffolk County, NY. Topics ranged from horseshoe crab monitoring, biomass monitoring in the Shinnecock Bay, ocean acidification, and microplastics. I now currently work as a Northeast Fisheries Observer, in which I collect data and samples from fishing catch on federal fishing vessels.
So that explains all the fish on this site.
Over the past few years, I have worked at a number of organizations to educate people about marine organisms and habitats, including the Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center, Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery and Aquarium, Peconic Estuary Program, and Ward Melville Heritage Organization. I have also volunteered at a number of marine science and fisheries labs at Stony Brook University and as part of Cornell Cooperative Extension here in Suffolk County, NY. Topics ranged from horseshoe crab monitoring, biomass monitoring in the Shinnecock Bay, ocean acidification, and microplastics. I now currently work as a Northeast Fisheries Observer, in which I collect data and samples from fishing catch on federal fishing vessels.
So that explains all the fish on this site.
I've been an artist since I was very small and I've had no official training in the department. I'm thoroughly a self-taught artist, and through endless practice, I've mastered many traditional mediums. I am proficient in colored pencils, markers, crayons, and acrylic paint, while using digital to do touch ups and enhance finished products digitally. I have even invented my own paper craft! In 2014, I officially began a small art business and joined the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, at the suggestion of my friend Stephen Nash of Conservation International. However, even with all this progress, I still consider art my favorite past-time. I now join and collaborate with Jan Porinchak, another scientific illustrator on Long Island, as well as the Center for Environmental Education and Discovery (CEED), as I continue to explore the role art plays in conservation and science.
Please have a look at the gallery. Become inspired and learn something along the way!
Please have a look at the gallery. Become inspired and learn something along the way!
Previous Events and galleries
- 2018 Guild of Natural Science Illustrators New England, "Mass Migrations Members Show", Akillian Gallery at Massasoit Community College Canton Campus, MA
- 2018 Guild of Natural Science Illustrators New England, "Mass Migrations Members Show", Lakeville, MA
- 2018 East Northport Library Solo Art Show "World Ocean", East Northport, NY
- 2017-18 Art and Science Collaborations INC's annual Art-Sci juried "Science Inspires Art: Ocean" exhibition, New York Hall of Science, Corona, Queens, NY
- 2017 Guild of Natural Science Illustrators Greater New York Chapter Art Gallery "Flora and Fauna of Highstead", Highstead Arboretum, Redding CT
- 2017 Harborfields Public Library "Scientific and Educational Nature Illustrations" Gallery with Jan Porinchak, Greenlawn, NY
- 2016 South Nassau Unitarian Universalist Congregation Art Gallery “Sea Creatures and Others: Natural History of Long Island”, Freeport, NY
- 2016 Guild of Natural Science Illustrators Greater New York Chapter Art Gallery “Oceans and Shores”, Highstead Arboretum, Redding, CT
- 2016 Guild of Natural Sciences Illustrators Member's Online Exhibit https://gnsi.org/gallery/2016-members-exhibit
- 2016 Long Island Marine Fauna and Flora. With J Porinchak and A. Furcall. Workshop for Guild of Natural Science Illustrators members. Bronx Botanical Gardens, Bronx, NY
- 2016 Sketching Nature. With J. Porinchak & A. Furcall. Long Island Natural History Conference, Brookhaven National Labs, Brookhaven, NY
- 2015 Illustrating Long Island Marine Fauna. With J. Porinchak. Workshop for Guild of Natural Science Illustrators members. Bronx Botanical Gardens, Bronx, NY
- 2015 Nature Journaling. With J. Porinchak. Balanced Mind Conference, Malloy College, Hempstead, NY