McKie studied composition and painting at Lambeth School of Art under Philip Connard. She became an illustrator for 'Bystander' magazine from 1915-1929 as well as contributing to The Graphic, Sphere, Autocar, and Queen publications. McKie became famous for drawing military figures during WW1 and was allowed to visit Munich and sketch Nazi officials in 1931. In WW2 she was commissioned to sketch naval images for Lord Lloyd, paint a picture of 'The Upper War Room' for presentation to Sir Winston Churchill and worked for Southern Railway. She went on to design and paint murals for the leisure industry including the Ritz Hotel and Butlins. Her work was exhibited in Britain and Paris and used as illustrations for books.