About Me
I am a Canadian illustrator and author 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 artist since 2014. I have worked for non-profit organizations, consulting firms, universities, private clients, podcasts, magazines, traditional and self-published books. My debut picture book MR. BUTTONMAN AND THE GREAT ESCAPE was published in 2020 by Simply Read Books. It received a Merit Award in the 3×3 Professional Illustrator Show and was a finalist in the Golden Pinwheel Illustrator Competition in Shanghai, China.
You will find various styles on my website because I like to experiment and try new mediums with most of my projects. That being said, my artistic and literary voice tends to be: funny, joyful, weird and colourful.
Occasionally, I also teach writing and illustration workshops in English and German. Upcoming and past courses are listed below.
When I am not working I am: reading pretty much everything, biking, hanging out with my two girls, eating ice cream, volunteering at a local neighbourhood space and wishing I had a wiener dog.
My newest new picture book comes out in 2027 and I am always open to illustrating new projects.
FOR BOOK INQUIRIES:
Contact my agent Ammi-Joan Paquette at Aevitas Creative Management ajpaquette(at)aevitascreative(dot)com.
For questions about my work or non-book related inquiries 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 gerne hello(at)joellegebhardt(dot)com bei mir!
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS VERÖFFENTLICHUNGEN
2027 „Limonade“, Kunstanstifter Verlag, Germany
2025 „The Mapquilt Tree“ by Stephanie Imbeau, embroidered children’s book illustrations, Kunst-Am-Bau, Berlin
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
WORKSHOPS WERKSTATTEN
2025 „Bilderbücher Selber Machen“, 20. September und 4. Oktober, Pablo Neruda Bibliothek, Berlin
2025 „Revising Your Manuscript“ with Picturebooks Berlin, 20. Mai, Pablo Neruda Bibliothek, Berlin
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)