Katelyn McKenna

Hey! My name is Katelyn, and I'm an Irish illustrator and graphic designer based in the funky and expressive city of Berlin. I'm originally from the lovely seaside town of Greystones, and fortunately I'm only a two-hour flight away from home. I'm a serial Google Maps bookmarker, a diary writer, animal lover, and overall someone who enjoys having a giggle and a nice walk. Usually with a coffee in hand.. and maybe a vegan croissant on the side (I'm lactose intolerant).

When it comes to my art style, it's best described as a mix of semi-realism with bold, expressive colour. I enjoy playing with lighting and atmosphere, and I like to focus on small, relatable details that give the viewer something to pick out. I often keep visible sketch elements from my rough stages, highlighting the human touch in contrast to the eeever-growing influence of AI-generated imagery in children's publishing! Don't get me started.

Humour and a sense of whimsy are important parts of my work! Of course, a lot of my works reflect the daydreamy headspace I often find myself in between projects. More often than not, I have too many ideas for illustrations and stories at once, and the real challenge is choosing which one to pull out from the depths to bring to life first!

I studied Visual Communications at the National College of Art & Design (NCAD) in Dublin, and since graduating I've focused on illustration. I'm a proud member of Illustrators Ireland and always enjoy connecting with others in the creative community. Previous clients include The Irish Times, Totally Dublin, Dublin Inquirer, Benchmark Press, WSMA Reports, Shout Out, Futa Fata, Collins Books, Gliadar, Oxford University Press, Kinsale Spirit, SpunOut, and Dubray Books.