Jessie McClanahan is from Southern West Virginia and grew up in a small city nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. Jessie currently travels across the country pursuing an arts education specializing in ceramics, but she calls Charleston, WV her home. She has earned her bachelor's degree from West Virginia State University, and is currently the Artist in Residence at Taylor Books. Most recently she has accepted an offer to pursue her Master's Degree from Syracuse University in Syracuse New York.

She has shown in galleries throughout Appalachia, has worked for the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Apartment Earth Art Gallery, and The Contemporary American Theater Festival. Her work is heavily influenced by her upbringing in the rolling hills of Appalachia. She finds inspiration from not only the traditions of Appalachia but from its unprecedented beauty as well.