About Me
I am a Canadian illustrator, author and designer currently living in Berlin, Germany with my family. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a focus in illustration from Emily Carr University and have been working as a freelance illustrator, author and graphic designer since 2014. I have worked for non-profit organizations, consulting firms, universities, private clients, podcasts, magazines and traditional and self-published books. My website only features a sample of unpublished and published work, so if you are interested in seeing more work samples feel free to contact me.
I am a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Illustratoren Organisation, VG Bild Kunst, and the VG Wort.
At the moment, I am especially interested in children’s book projects. I love writing and illustrating stories with humour, weird-ness, and unexpected twists. If I can make you smile or laugh then I consider it a job well-done. My fine art training means I am always more interested in the ART and impact of a project, not the style. This is why you will find various styles on my website. I know this is a controversial thing for illustration. I work with both traditional and digital mediums and am always hoping my next project will be an opportunity to try something new. That being said, my artistic and literary voice tends to be: funny, joyful, weird and colourful.
When I am not working I am: reading pretty much everything except horror and sci-fi, biking, hanging out with my two girls, eating ice cream, volunteering at a local neighbourhood space and wishing I had a wiener dog.
I have some new books coming out in the next few years and am always open to new projects. If you have any questions about my work or would like to discuss a collaboration you can reach me at: hello(at)joellegebhardt(dot)com.
Ich bin eine kanadische Illustratorin und Autorin und wohne seit 2014 mit meiner Familie in Berlin. Ich bin in der Wildnis der kanadischen Berge aufgewachsen und schloss 2012 meinen Bachelor of Fine Arts von Emily Carr University. Seitdem arbeite ich als freiberufliche Illustratorin und ab 2014 auch als Autorin. Mein erstes Bilderbuch, “Mr. Buttonman and the Great Escape” wurde im April 2020 von Simply Read Books veröffentlicht. Ich bilde mich als Autorin und Künstlerin ständig weiter und bin Mitgliedern bei der Illustratoren Organisation und SCBWI. Mein nächstes Bilderbuch wird in 2027 erschienen und ich bin noch offen für neue Projekte.
Falls Sie an einer Zusammenarbeit interessiert sind, melden Sie sich gern an hello@joellegebhardt.com bei mir!
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS VERÖFFENTLICHUNGEN
2027 To-be-announced!
2025 The Mapquilt Tree, embroidered children’s book illustrations to accompany public art installation by artist Steph Imbeau, funded by Kunst-Am-Bau in Berlin, Germany
2020, “Mr.Buttonman and the Great Escape”, Simply Read Books, Canada ISBN 978-1772290288
2016 “Stitch It Yourself”, Droemer Knaur Verlag, Germany, ISBN 978-3-426-64666-3
2016 SAD Magazine, No. 20/21, Editorial Illustration, Canada
FEATURES/AWARDS/GRANTS INTERVIEWS/ WETTBEWERBE/ STIPENDIEN
2025 Create and Research Grant Recipient, Picture Books and the Art of Play, Canada Council for the Arts
2024 PB Party Honorable Mention, Picture Book Writing Competition, USA
2023 PB PARTY Finalist, Picture Book Writing Competition, USA
2022 NEUSTART KULTUR VG WORT STIPENDIEN, Germany (Work-in-Progress Author’s Grant)
2021 Magazine Feature in Best Books for Kids & Teens, Spring Edition, CCBC, Canada
2020 Finalist in the Golden Pinwheels Young Illustrators Competition, Shanghai, China
2019 Merit Award in 3 X3 Magazine Professional Illustrator Competition, New York, USA
2018 Magazine Feature, August Issue, Joyce Magazine, SCM Publisher, Germany
2018 Magazine Feature, Daphne’s Diary, Issue 7, Netherlands
2016 Magazine Feature, UPPERCASE, Vol. 20. Calgary, Canada
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS MITGLIEDSCHAFTEN
SOCIETY OF CHILDREN’S BOOK ILLUSTRATORS AND AUTHORS
Illustratoren Organisation e.V (Society of Illustrators- Germany)
VG- WORT (Society of Authors in Germany)
VG- BILD KUNST (Society of Artists in Germany)
SELECTED CLIENTS KUNDEN