Kelly Kates was born in Jacksonville, Fl on October 24, 1984 and moved to Saint Augustine where she attended Flagler College. She graduated in 2013 with a Bachelors in Graphic Design and Illustration. She is now a Freelance Artist doing graphic and illustrations under her company name, Hibou Illustrations. Her illustrations are influenced by fifties cartoons and Aztec pattern which she incorporates into her work. 

In her spare time, Kelly enjoys playing her ukulele, watching cartoons (she is a kid at heart after all), writing, grilled cheese, sci-fi, and comic books.