February Artist of the Month –Katie Abey
Our February ‘Artist of the Month’ is illustrator Katie Abey
About Katie Abey
Katie Abey is a creative human committed to the idea that she might just be able to make a positive difference to the world by drawing perturbed animals and lots of rainbows for a living.
She used to view her deeply sensitive traits as a flaw but has now harnessed those characteristics into the superpower they are!
She now transmutes all of the feelings into all of the art.
Her work is created to uplift and feel supportive and she is passionate about making people feel proud of their individuality and all of the things that set them apart from others. Embrace your weirdness.
Alongside building her brand and merchandise, Katie has illustrated 70 children's books and counting!
Katie and her husband Jeff have opened a bricks-and-mortar shop in Derbyshire called Punnydukes and they have enjoyed conjuring immersive, creative spaces where people can escape from reality and browse some much needed magic.
What a visit from Katie entails
Katie can work with pupils of all ages across both primary and secondary. However, her books are for primary age pupils.
Katie offers a presentation and a draw along. As her style is beautifully simple, it's easy for all ages of children to follow along and feel proud of their creative abilities at the end!
Her workshops can be adapted around the theme of general creativity, mental health, magical creatures - open to discuss theme
You can see details on her visits here
Testimonial from a previous visit.
“Katie recently ran two family workshops at the library called ‘We Feel Happy’. The workshops were really popular because of Katie, and we had to turn people away! The aim was to provide a free event for families during the holidays, with the attendees taking away something that they had made, plus a free book of Katie’s. We were lucky to obtain some community funding for the workshops. Katie was really great to work with, from initial ideas, to planning the sessions, sorting out resources and her generosity with images for publicity. On the day Katie was amazing. The children and families were engaged throughout the workshop (which involved a draw-along and making a wish box) and loved meeting her individually at the end for photos and book signing. Katie had a calm presence and time for everyone. She is inspirational, spreads happiness and creativity and is highly recommended!”
Ripley Library
Interview with Katie Abey
When did you first become interested in illustration?
I've been keen on drawing since I was little when I would camp out in my under-the-dining-table den and create characters.
Strangely I would always include bellybuttons in my drawings, which is extra weird because bellybuttons unnerve me to this day!
Then when I was 11 or 12 I would write and illustrate my own books and spend days working on them.
There are so many different forms and methods of creating art, how did you find your preferred method? Do you still like to play around with a variety of forms?
I still love to try out lots of different creative things but drawing appeals to me because of its quickness! I am always in awe of people who can crochet or cross stitch but I am not blessed with creative patience.
When I get a creative rush and want to make an idea into a thing a frantic scrawl lends itself to me perfectly. I think that is why my drawing style is fairly simplistic too; I love to be able to create something within an hour!
Do you believe a picture can be worth a thousand words?
I definitely believe this and also that it can be different words entirely for each person who looks at that picture. Which is what is so magical about art!
How much collaboration is there with an author when you illustrate their book? Do you follow their lead and ideas or be able to offer your suggestions as an illustrator?
I will often get prompts and suggestions of what to draw but it generally feels quite a free process where I can add my own twist on things. And I generally get a lot of creative freedom in the character design too which is my favourite part.
Many of the books you have illustrated concentrate on feelings and promoting happiness and wellbeing. In such stressful times can fiction make a difference?
Fiction is escapism and it helps us to dream and hold on to a sense of hope which is the most invaluable tool we have in these times.
A lot of your work is funny – does humour come naturally to you or is it like any other skill that has to be practiced?
I am very funny (and also very humble too). My daughter would probably disagree about how funny I am though!
Congratulations on your Lolly Award! In a time when awards lists are dominated by serious books on often serious topics, why is it important to celebrate the power of comedy?
Thank you! It's great that the Lollies exist and celebrate funny kids' books in such a way. I strongly believe that life should be filled with as much laughter as possible!
What was the last thing that made you laugh?
My husband said 'total curveball' in a conversation earlier and I heard it as 'Turtle Curveball'. I need to draw this Turtle immediately!
What has been your most memorable moment from a school visit?
I recently got to witness a reception age girl standing up and showing me her pufferfish impression with an amount of confidence I can only aspire to ever attain!
Many schools look at authors and poets when booking a visitor – what impact can hiring an illustrator have?
An illustrator visiting can show children that they can have a job drawing pictures! And visual art can be such a brilliant form of self expression!
What do you do to relax?
I go for nature wanders, drink cacao, read and watch daft things on TV with my family. And also I love sleep!
Are you ever too old to believe in magic?
Never too old. We are born knowing that magic is real and society adds blocks to that Knowing as we get older. If we can keep the blocks away we can still find magic at any age!
How do you encourage young people to be brave enough to put pencil to paper?
I'll often do draw alongs first and as my style is fairly simple it can generate a brilliant sense of confidence in young people to then put their own spin on creations.
Representation matters in books and thankfully there has been an increase in more young people being able to see someone who resonates with them in book options. How important is it that staff make sure pupils have access to a range of books and visitors to increase diversity and representation?
I think we all want to feel seen and if we can give as many people that feeling as possible within a book, why would we not do that?
How do you encourage shy or reluctant pupils to get involved in a visit?
The great thing about creative workshops is that they can be taken in 20 different directions within the same session. I'll often discuss with schools about students that might respond better to more tactile mediums like clay over drawing. A lot of the sessions I do can be about self expression so there is no wrong way to do that.
Your books are for up to age 12 but older pupils can still be involved in a visit. What can schools expect to engage their older students?
I've been cohosting creative therapy workshops for adults since 2020. A lot of the activities in those workshops will be focussed around personal expression and self development and I adapt these for a younger audience. So, for example, we can create mascot creatures or our own familiar to help us in life - this appeals to every age!
Have you always had a vivid imagination?
I have and, getting serious for a second, I used to struggle with anxiety. I actually really believe that anxiety can sometimes be the darker side of having a vivid imagination. You might struggle with intrusive thoughts or invent and overthink scenarios that could happen in your head. This is why I think that creativity is so healing for any deep feelers or dreamers, as it's a way to alchemise those thoughts and feelings.
When designing a character what comes first – their appearance or personality traits?
Definitely their personality! I'm so big on self expression and think our appearance can be a way of visually translating who we are in our soul.
So creating characters feels like that process of interpreting their personality through how they look and it's so fun.
Did you make any new year’s resolutions? If so, are you still sticking to them?
I haven't, as spring is my new year! I get moving when nature starts waking up as I usually feel more energy then. I'm solar powered for sure!
Quick Fire
Sunshine or snow?
Sunshine! Seeing as my hair is made of it, it had to be.
Which magic power would you most like to have?
I've thought about this A LOT and in great detail and its teleportation! Seeing the world with ease!
If you got a talking animal as a sidekick, what animal would you pick?
A pigeon.
Go to snack
Olives
Would you rather have the chance to go on a submarine or a rocket?
Submarine
If you were Prime Minister for the day, what law would you introduce?
No excessive wealth hoarding allowed. Only dragons in fantasy books should be guarding treasure.
Arrange for Katie Abey to visit your school
To make an enquiry about Katie, please contact us as follows
UK visits
Email:UKbookings@caboodlebooks.co.uk
Or contact Yvonne on - 01535 279851
Overseas Visits
Email:Overseasvisits@caboodlebooks.co.uk
Or contact Overseas Manager, Robin - +44(0) 1535 279853