In June of last year, I stayed for a week in the old farmhouse at the Trail Wood Sanctuary. The property was once home to nature writer Edwin Way Teale and his wife Nellie, and was donated by Nellie to the Connecticut Audubon Society in Pomfret. The farmhouse has been preserved, just as the Teales … More Trail Wood Artist Residency
Happy #SalamanderSaturday! Today I thought I would explain the start-to-finish process of how I illustrated my favorite double page spread, that I call “Emergence.” Katy Farber’s words describe the homes of spotted salamanders — “under layers of earth, snug among the roots” — and how the salamanders must wait for the right spring conditions to … More Salamander Sky, Part 2: Methods & Materials
On February 5, I will teach the first of two workshops about drawing animals at the Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center at Thacher State Park, (Voorheesville, NY, just a 30 minute drive south of Albany). This is a beautiful spot, tucked into the woods, with many trails to explore. If you live in the Capital … More Drawing Animals – Workshop Announcement
Back June I was invited to be the alumni speaker at the RISD Continuing Education Commencement Ceremony – a very nice honor – and RISD|CE has posted my speech on their website! From RISD|CE “Making Art a Career” Professional illustrator Meg Sodano was the alumni speaker at RISD|CE’s Certificate Program Commencement Ceremony in June 2015. The … More Alumni Speech
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.
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.) >>
For every illustration I must research the subject in order to show accurate anatomy, behavior, color, and environment. Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) are gregarious song birds, moving in flocks to feed on berries and fruits. They don’t sit still for a minute, which makes it hard to study their brightly patterned plumage. When sketching these birds, … More Cedar Waxwings
This series of anatomical illustrations of marine invertebrates was created for Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, CT. The artwork will play an important role in educating guests and school groups about some local marine animals they can encounter at the Aquarium and the nearby shore. My hope is that these images will inspire curiosity among adults and … More Art for the Aquarium
Meg Sodano - Illustration & Design 