My passion for animals ignited early on, with my vivid memories of utter fascination starting at the age of 5, sparked by simple things like the mesmerizing march of little ant colonies along my stone fence and the immediate action I took whenever a cat brought home an injured creature, setting up a makeshift rehabilitation cage in my bedroom for their healing (mainly being unbeknownst to my parents!).
I idolized animal enthusiasts like Steve Irwin and was captivated by shows on Animal Planet, my insatiable curiosity still drives me to learn everything about the animal kingdom!
With supportive parents, I've had almost every conceivable pet – from snakes, cats, and dogs to bunnies, ferrets, fish, turtles, geckos, horses, tarantulas, sheep, and pigs! The list is endless.
Originally from Cape Cod, USA, I relocated to Switzerland in 2010 with my family. Amidst the overwhelming German in school, I discovered solace in drawing, transforming my schoolwork into a canvas for doodles. Art became my sanctuary, offering a singular focus on the next pencil or brush stroke, temporarily alleviating all other worries.
Returning to an English-speaking high school in Zürich after middle school, I pursued IGCSE's and A-Levels, achieving an A* in Art & Design. This success fueled my determination to continue learning and affirmed that my artistic endeavors resonated with others.
SOPHIE ANGHARAD EGLINTON
Precise with a pencil; steady with a scalpel
Greetings! I'm Sophie Angharad Eglinton, a budding professional artist with 14 years of drawing experience—a journey that began with a childhood fascination with wildlife and has evolved into a passion for animal and pet portraiture. Self-taught and currently immersed in veterinary medicine, I draw inspiration from both worlds to bring you art with clinical precision and anatomical understanding. Let me capture the essence of your pets and favourite animals on canvas!
In 2018, I suffered a riding accident which became another massive life turning point. When a coma briefly took away the use of my hands, art became a lifeline. I was terrified I wouldn't be able to write and draw again. But within a few months, the ability slowly returned. It wasn't just a skill but a means of rediscovery and literal physical therapy. The healing process reignited my love & respect for animals and medicine, after experiencing the strength of animals and the care of the medical field from the inside.
As a thank you to my doctors and nurses, I completed artworks whilst being an in-patient, with which I represented the things they helped me with, respectively an anatomically correct heart for the nurses, hands lifting up another hand for my therapists, and a scan of my brain where it was injured with a band-aid imposed over it to illustrate how they helped it heal.
Never once did I have any fear of my horse, but understanding and forever love. It was a pleasure for me to look at his face while I drew him and get to know his mind in another way, through pencil, through hours of staring at his face. Each brushstroke is now an exploration of a horse's anatomy and behaviour. Horses have evolved into beloved muses, symbolizing resilience and it's so incredible for me to unmask their silent language and personalities held in their faces.
Needless to say, since my move to Switzerland, art has been a constant companion through every twist and turn, a comforting language that transcends borders.
Originally studying Veterinary Bioscience BSc. (Hons) in Aberystwyth, UK, and Veterinary Medicine DVM in Budapest, I’ve taken a break to transfer to a Veterinary Medicine course in Switzerland/Germany and to focus on my art—particularly with pastel pencils and oil paints.
Join me on this journey where art, animals, and medicine intertwine, each stroke telling a story of healing, resilience, and the power of creativity.
Navigate with me the colorful intersections of pencils, and stethoscopes.