Illustrator/author. Communicating scientific info + supporting conservation through art. Inspiring kids to get outside and explore. Member of GNSI and SCBWI. (she/her)
I just finished this preliminary drawing of Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), part of a series of illustrations about invasive species. While wandering through the forest at Huyck Preserve early this summer, I photographed this aggressive vine and made some rough sketches to try to capture its menacing behavior. It climbs quickly, taking over everything in its … More Drawing a plant’s behavior
Just got back from the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators 2014 conference in Boulder. Luckily there was enough extra space in my luggage for souvenirs, because I picked up two framed prints at the silent auction. Now they are hanging in my studio, among the many other pieces of inspiration I’ve collected. The turtle is the first reptile on … More New animals in my studio
My friend Marcela Staudenmaier, who makes the most incredible illustrations from cut paper, invited me to jump on a blog tour of children’s writers and illustrators. Last week on her blog she gave us a peek at the book she’s working on and discussed her creative process. Marcela and I both studied children’s book illustration at Rhode … More Blog Tour – My Illustration Process
The summer issue of the Coop Scoop has a really great article about the nutritional and medicinal uses of some of the most common backyard plants. How does a dandelion green and violet blossom salad with red clover vinaigrette sound? And those weedy plantains taking over your yard could come in handy the next time … More Clover, plantain, and other useful plants are right in your backyard!
People ask me all the time what I studied in college. Biology. Animal Science, to be specific. I milked cows, worked in a lab, and was in the pre-vet club. I drew anatomical diagrams in my notebooks and could work out chemical equations in a very organized and legible manner, but didn’t “have time” for real art. … More I’m not a scientist, but then again maybe I am.
Yesterday I was so touched to receive these hand-made letters from two very creative readers. My first fan mail! Also enclosed was a little note from the girls’ grandmother, who pointed out that, in Pisa’s drawing, the orange shape appearing from behind the tree is Georgia’s airplane. Thank you Pisa, Lira, and Shelley!
Spring issue! This one’s all about local parks, gardening, National Bike Month, Earth Day, and the return of the STRAWBERRIES! I contributed a couple of illustrations – this one shows my ideal way to celebrate Earth Day. (Created in Photoshop.) >>
Our local food co-op, Honest Weight, has a quarterly newsletter (The Coop Scoop – check it out!), and they’ve asked me to contribute some illustrations. These were created entirely in Photoshop using custom brushes (as always) and a woodblock print texture overlayed. Of course I sprinkled some natural science into each one: jasmine blossoms for … More Here’s the Scoop
Summer seems to be the theme of my illustrations recently. For two different projects I’ve been drawing children gardening, exploring butterflies, and climbing birch trees. But on this dreary fall day I have a short break to paint something for myself. For inspiration I look through photos and sketches from my time at Huyck Preserve, … More House Wren
Meg Sodano - Illustration & Design 