Katie Flindall grew up on the Kansas prairie, where she and her four siblings were homeschooled on a hundred-acre homestead filled with wild fields, dense cedar forests, and secret hideaways. Her parents, both passionate about children’s literature and art, encouraged Katie’s creative spirit by providing an endless supply of art materials and time to devote to her craft. A self-taught author and illustrator, Katie has drawn inspiration from artists like Trina Schart Hyman, Doris Burn, and Irene Haas.
Katie spent many years studying classical ballet, training at the National Ballet School of Canada, and teaching dance in Kansas, Vermont, and Ontario. Her background in dance has influenced her work, infusing her illustrations with movement and an energetic sense of joy.
Katie frequently collaborates with her artist sister on creative projects, including the recent installation of an interactive mural in the children’s section of the Brantford, Ontario library. In the autumn of 2023, she had the opportunity to attend Sophie Blackall’s Milkwood Residency for Writers and Illustrators, an experience that deeply inspired her and enriched her artistic practice.
Katie works from her studio along the shores of Lake Ontario, where she and her husband are raising their four children, nurturing a love of art and creativity. When she’s not working at her art table, Katie can be found spending time with her family, drinking coffee, and roaming the nearby fields and forests with her dog, Mocha.
