Protest As Play Artist Discussion: Meg Lemieur
We'd love to learn more about you and your work. Would you be willing to share a short bio, artist statement, or a few thoughts about what inspires your creative perspective and projects?
Meg Lemieur is a nature-focused illustrator based out of Philadelphia whose mission is to celebrate the diversity, interconnectedness, and amazing feats of the natural world and lift up social and environmental justice issues. Her illustrations have been published as tabletop games, in comic anthologies, as large-scale educational projects, and have hung in galleries around the country. She was awarded the Woman of Environmental Arts award by Penn Future in 2023 and was an Artist in Residence with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council in 2025.
My creative perspective comes from a deep-seated love for the other living beings on this planet and desire for them to live full, healthy, and enjoyable lives. My work as an activist against human rights violations and environmental devastation informs my views. My art is a way for me to process that information and those emotions while educating and encouraging others to act.
What issues, concerns, or topics are currently top of mind for you?
Every day we are being hit with more devastating news. All of it is top of mind. But I am only one person, so I try to focus my efforts. My current efforts are focused on community organizing, immigrant protection, and fighting damaging fossil fuel infrastructure.
Water Ways drawn by Meg Lemieur and Bri Barton
Would you like to share anything about your creative process, either in general or in relation to a recent work?
My creative process can look a few different ways, but it always starts with my heart strings being tugged by an issue or a situation. Whether it is being inspired by the bravery and tenacity of those who stand up to powerful forces or it is shock and rage against those who would carelessly destroy life, these initial understandings guide me to educate myself on the issue and create informed yet emotional work.
On the technical side of things, I start all my drawings with pencil on paper in my small home studio in Philadelphia. Once a sketch is finalized, I either ink the piece with felt tipped pens or create a finalized graphite drawing based on the sketch. I then scan the piece into my computer and add color and collaging textures digitally. I work closely with my printers to make sure each color pops just right in the final printed version.
What are you currently working on, or what projects are you hoping to pursue in the near future?
I have a new secret project that is not quite ready to be talked about, but it is in a similar style as the Labor South and Water Ways pieces you have highlighted. Check back next summer to hear all about it! In the meantime, I am vending at art markets around the Philadelphia region with my current body of work that celebrates the natural world in our region.
