about
Hi! I’m Alexandra Finkeldey (pronounced “fing-cull-die”). I’m a Canadian illustrator based in Ottawa, Canada, which is located on the unceded territory of the Anishinaabeg Algonquin People. I live with my husband, my two cats (Mochi & Jo Bean) and my elderly gecko named Lenny.
I’m self/community-taught and keen to recognize the wisdom of my childhood art teachers, the encouragement of my family, and the generosity of artists who so readily share their knowledge and resources.
I enjoy illustrating the small, cozy details of daily life. My favourite subjects include animals, plants, landscapes, people, and food. I favour warm colour palettes and enjoy creating rich textures with a combination of traditional and digital techniques. I draw inspiration from old children’s illustrations, animals, frequent walks in nature, video games, fashion, vintage packaging and animation.
I’ve had the pleasure of illustrating Saving the Spotted Owl by Nicola Jones (Kids Can Press, 2023), The Boy, the Cloud and the Very Tall Tale by Heather Smith (Orca Books, 2023—Book Cover only), When the Storks Came Home by Isabella Tree (Ivy Kids, 2022) True Stories of Animal Heroes: Talala by Vita Murrow (Frances Lincoln, 2021).
offline
I’m an avid reader of non-fiction books, mostly about ecology and our relationship to the natural world. I love taking photos, foraging for mushrooms, attending concerts, cooking, playing video games, experimenting with textiles, and playing the piano.