Meg Sodano – Illustration & Design

Meg Sodano is fascinated with changes in the natural world – life cycles, migrations, seasons, tides, weather – and with interactions among species and their environments. She uses her first-hand experiences, knowledge of biology, and training in science illustration to make picture books and interpretive exhibits about ecology and conservation. Salamander Sky (published by Green Writers Press, 2018) shows Meg’s skillful and observant ink-wash illustrations, which received four recognitions, including the John Burroughs Riverby Award for excellent nature books for young readers. She chooses her media based on textural qualities of the story’s setting. It is often a combination of watercolors, inks, colored pencils, water soluble crayons, or graphite. Backgrounds are sometimes created using the shapes of gathered leaves or paint mixed from rock pigments. Meg’s work strives to communicate the value of nature and the importance of environmental stewardship.

AWARDS FOR SALAMANDER SKY

2019 John Burroughs Riverby Award
2019 Green Earth Book Award Honor
Finalist for the 2018 New England Children’s Book Award
2018 Nautilus Book Award – Silver

BOOKS

Beaver and Otter Get Along …Sort Of 
(Dawn Publications/Sourcebooks, Sept 2021)
By Sneed Collard, III, Illustrated by Meg Sodano

Salamander Sky
(Green Writers Press, 2018)
By Katy Farber, Illustrated by Meg Sodano

Lila’s Harbor (2017)
By CJ Talbert, Illustrated by Meg Sodano

INVITED TALKS

“Science Illustration for Picture Books” – Russell Sage College – April 24, 2020

Alumni Speaker – RISD Continuing Education Commencement Ceremonies – June 2, 2015

TEACHING

Artist aboard the National Geographic Islander in Galápagos, with Lindblad Expeditions – National Geographic. Gave workshops and demonstrations on drawing and painting wildlife, August 19 – September 19, 2016.

“Drawing Animals” workshops at Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center, Thacher State Park, Voorheesville, NY. February 5 and March 18, 2017

ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAMS

Edwin Way Teale Trail Wood Sanctuary Artist-in-Residence, Connecticut Audubon Center at Pomfret, Hampton and Pomfret, CT. June 30 – July 6, 2019

Platte Clove Preserve Artist-in-Residence, Catskill Mountains, NY. Sept 19 – 25, 2016

COM.EN.ART (Community. Environment. Art) E.N. Huyck Preserve, Rensselaerville, NY.
July 19 – August 4, 2013

EXHIBITIONS

2020 Annual Nature Art Exhibit
Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center, Voorheesville, NY. March 27 – March 25, 2020

Edwin Way Teale Trail Wood Sanctuary Artist-in-Residence Exhibit
CT Audubon Center at Pomfret, Pomfret, CT. January 26 – February 28, 2020

“Illustrated” – Featuring 12 illustrators from New York State
Albany Public Library, Albany, NY. June 2 – October 28, 2017

Catskill Center 2016 Artists-in-Residence Exhibit
Erpf Gallery, Arkville, NY. May 27 – July 15, 2017

15th Annual Nature Art Exhibit
Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center, Voorheesville, NY. March 11 – March 31, 2017

14th Annual Nature Art Exhibit
Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center, Voorheesville, NY. March 5 – March 25, 2016

Guild of Natural Science Illustrators 2014 Annual Members’ Exhibit
University of Colorado Museum of Natural History, Boulder, CO. April 19 – Sept 25, 2014

“Works of Nature” – Recent Work from the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, NE Chapt.
Connecticut Audubon Society, Pomfret Center, CT. October 1 – November 11, 2013

10th Annual Nature Art Exhibit
Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center, Voorheesville, NY. March 9 – March 23, 2013

A Closer Look: Recent Work From The Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, NE Chapt.
South Shore Natural Science Center, Norwell, MA. October 17 – November 26, 2012

Guild of Natural Science Illustrators 2012 Small Works Exhibit
Jepson Center in the Telfair Museum, Savannah, GA. July 7 – August 6, 2012

“In the Field” – Works by the Artist Team of the Rhode Island Bioblitz
Warwick Museum of Art, Warwick, RI. July 7-31, 2012

Guild of Natural Science Illustrators 2012 Annual Members’ Exhibit
Pei Ling Chan Gallery and Garden for the Arts, Savannah, GA. June 30 – July 21, 2012

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Guild of Natural Science Illustrators
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators