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. Much of my work is not able to be shared on my website as the projects are diverse and varied. If you are interested in seeing specific samples feel free to contact me. I work with both traditional and digital mediums and am always hoping my next project will be an opportunity to try something new.
My debut embroidered picture book, “Mr. Buttonman and the Great Escape” was published by Canadian publisher Simply Read Books in April 2020. It received the Merit Award in 3×3 Magazine Annual Illustrators Show and was also a finalist in the Golden Pinwheels Young Illustrators Competition in Shanghai, China in November 2020. I am a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and a 2023 Finalist in the PB Party Writing Competition. 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, 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, zum Beispiel bei der internationalen Konferenz der “Society of Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators” (SCBWI) in den USA. Im August 2021, habe ich, zusammen mit einer Autorin aus dem Libanon, die Gruppe “Internationale Kinderbuchautor*innen” in Berlin” ins Leben gerufen, bei der die Autor*innen sich austauschen und gegenseitig Feedback zu ihren Manuskripten geben.
Falls Sie an einer Zusammenarbeit interessiert sind, melden Sie sich gern an hello@joellegebhardt.com bei mir!
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS VERÖFFENTLICHUNGEN
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
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
VG- WORT (Society of Authors in Germany)
VG- BILD KUNST (Society of Artists in Germany)
SELECTED CLIENTS KUNDEN
Droemer-Knaur Publishing
Simply Read Books
Knusperdesign gmbH
SAD Magazine
Projekt: Kirche
Fuechse Berlin Sportsclub