Meg Sodano
Meg Sodano Natural Science Illustration
Albany, NY, USA
541-908-5828
msodanoillustration.com
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.
Work Experience
Meg Sodano Illustration
Illustrator - Freelance
Illustrations of animals and environments for interpretive exhibits at zoos, nature centers, and educational publications. Picture book illustrations.
June 2011
- Present
New York, United States
Mystic Aquarium
Illustration Intern
I created a series of anatomical illustrations of animals in the Aquarium's Touch Tank exhibit. The species included horseshoe crab, rock crab, spider crab, sea star, channeled whelk, and lobster. The illustrations were rendered in ink line and wash. Reproductions will be used to teach visitors and school groups about some marine animals they can encounter at the Aquarium and along the nearby shore.
Designed a pair of 36" x 24" color posters describing the internal and external anatomy of a squid. The work was created in Adobe Illustrator and will be used by the Aquarium's educators and school groups.
Designed a pair of 36" x 24" color posters describing the internal and external anatomy of a squid. The work was created in Adobe Illustrator and will be used by the Aquarium's educators and school groups.
February 2012
- May 2012
Mystic, Connecticut, United States
Education
Rhode Island School Of Design (RISD)
Certificate of Natural Science Illustration
September 2010
- June 2012
Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Rhode Island School Of Design (RISD)
Certificate of Children's Book Illustration
Expected graduation June 2013
September 2010
-
Providence, Rhode Island, United States
University Of Vermont
BS in Animal Science and Biological Science
Focus in pre-veterinary medicine.
August 1997
- May 2001
Vermont, United States
Awards
New England Independent Booksellers Association
Finalist for the New England Children's Book Award
2018
Skills
Acrylic,
Adobe Illustrator,
Adobe InDesign,
Adobe Photoshop,
Colored Pencil,
Watercolor,
Graphite,
Pen And Ink,
Picture Book Illustration,
Storyboarding,
Biography
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.
Books
Beaver and Otter Sort of Get Along, written by Sneed B. Collard III, published by Dawn Publications and Sourcebooks, Sept 2021. Genre: Picture book.
Salamander Sky, written by Katy Farber, illustrated by Meg Sodano, published by Green Writers Press, 2018. Genre: Picture book
Lila's Harbor, written by CJ Talbert, illustrated by Meg Sodano, published by CJT Publishing, 2017. Genre: Picture book
Will and Tracy and the Mystery of the Indian Caves, by Chris Mathe, illustrated by Meg Sodano, published by Mountain Ninja Publishing, 2016. Genre: Middle Grade Novel (8-10 yrs)
Salamander Sky, written by Katy Farber, illustrated by Meg Sodano, published by Green Writers Press, 2018. Genre: Picture book
Lila's Harbor, written by CJ Talbert, illustrated by Meg Sodano, published by CJT Publishing, 2017. Genre: Picture book
Will and Tracy and the Mystery of the Indian Caves, by Chris Mathe, illustrated by Meg Sodano, published by Mountain Ninja Publishing, 2016. Genre: Middle Grade Novel (8-10 yrs)
Exhibitions
“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 Annual Members Exhibit
Pei Ling Chan Gallery and Garden for the Arts, Savannah, GA
June 30 - July 21, 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
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 Annual Members Exhibit
Pei Ling Chan Gallery and Garden for the Arts, Savannah, GA
June 30 - July 21, 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
Associations
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (scbwi.org)
Guild of Natural Science Illustrators (gnsi.org)
Guild of Natural Science Illustrators (gnsi.org)