A woman shopping at a bookstore counter with a cashier, surrounded by colorful greeting cards, books, and stationery.

Heather McKay

I have drawn ever since I can remember. Before I had pencils I would stick my finger in my soup and make pictures on the kitchen table! I also know that I was never so much interested in the words in books, rather the pictures…I loved the pictures. I went to college and studied Graphic Design, but I continued to illustrate — drawing pictures from my head. I especially loved to make cards for people I loved.

“Listening to my heart and soul is also very central to my process and trying to connect with my uninhibited child self - the one who drew on the table with her soup!”

Line drawing of a smiling girl with pigtails sitting at a table, reaching for a bowl, with a spoon beside it.

It has taken me a long time to find my confidence as an illustrator. More recently I have handled some big projects which have really helped to grow my confidence. I taught Design & Illustration on the Art Foundation Course at Stillorgan College of Further Education for over 20 years, which I loved. Teaching kept me on my toes —new challenges, advances in technology, students struggling to believe they are any good…I carry a lot of great memories from that chapter.

Listening to my heart and soul is very central to my process and trying to connect with my uninhibited child self — the one who drew on the table with her soup. My daughter helps me take time out to be silly. I always try to hope for the good, and even on a bad day, I never let go of my optimism. Drawing has remained my foundation, and I still love getting out in the fresh air with my sketchbook and backpack. It is the best therapy!

I am working on decluttering my space, but more importantly for now I am learning to “be” instead of always doing. There is time to draw…and rest…I think am still finding the balance.

Andrew McKay

Andrew was my big brother. In the summer of 2000, he took on the task of managing ME and became the main catalyst behind the formation of Head in the Clouds Ltd. He encouraged me to think bigger and smarter.

He believed in all the possibilities for Head in the Clouds. 

Sadly Andrew passed away at the age of thirty (from cancer). He will always be remembered by many for his endless enthusiasm for hockey and his great ability to enjoy life! 

Even though he left this world before his time, he certainly left his mark.

A young man smiling, with long brown hair and a beard, sitting at a table with a glass of beer in front of him, framed by a decorative yellow border with floral designs.
Line drawing of a woman sitting in an armchair, smiling, with a tablet on her lap, in a relaxed setting.
Line drawing of a woman sitting in an armchair, smiling, with a tablet on her lap, in a relaxed setting.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Head in the Clouds is a little greeting card company based in Dublin, Ireland. The work you see here has all been created by Illustrator, Heather McKay over many years.

    Head in the Clouds was created as a way of selling Heather’s work as cards and prints, making it accessible and affordable.

  • Depending on where you are, it typically takes 2-3 working days from receipt of your order to get the package to you.

    I use ANPOST.IE to send my orders out.

    If you are ordering from somewhere farther way you may have to wait as long as two weeks for your parcel to arrive.

    Please feel free to contact me at heather@headintheclouds.ie if you want to know more!

  • I make every effort to get orders out as sson as possible. If I need to order a mount for a print, this can take a little extra time, but I will let you know if that is the case.

    Contact me at heather@headintheclouds.ie if you are worried about receiving your order in time!

    If the package arrives smashed up, please take a photograph and send it to me. In this case, I will happily to send the order again, or offer you a refund.

  • Yes, all our products are produced locally.

    I begin by drawing everything by hand, then I scan the images. I clean them up using Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator, and then I do the graphic design work to prepare them for print.

    My friend Alison Watson and her team at www.smartimaging.biz send me samples of the images for approval and finally, when everyone is happy, we go to print! They use sustainable paper products to produce my cards and prints.

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    Yes, Head in the Clouds has always stocked with shops with cards and prints.

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    If you would like to know more about our wholesale pricing structure, or you want to see a catalogue of our range, feel free to contact me at heather@headintheclouds.ie

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  • You can email me at heather@headintheclouds.ie

    Or you can phone me at +353 87-677 3899

    We do not have our own shop, but if you live near Deansgrange (Dublin, Ireland) I am more than happy to deliver your order or you can pick it up from me. Just let me know in advance!

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