About – Steph Gillespie

Hi! I'm Steph, an Author- Illustrator living in Berlin.

Making and Writing

My pictures begin with the good and messy analogue stage of painting of pages and collaging these into figures and forms; then I make compositions of these digitally.

I am interested in stories about creativity in diversity; characters that improvise in their everyday life. Two book proposals 'New Neighbors' and 'The Dancer' around these themes (you can see more on the project pages) were longlisted for the Dpictus Unpublished Showcase (2024, 2025).

History and influences

I was born in Belfast and lived in London and Berlin in my adult life. Complex identities were already there just by fact of being from Northern Ireland, so maybe it is not entirely unexpected to find myself at home in diverse cities where people’s identities are multiple and layered. Some throughlines of my work are collage, movement and diagonals, very little sits on firm ground.

I'm inspired by Romare Bearden's collage cuts, Corita Kent's rootedness in everyday life, Faith Ringgold's flying children.

I am currently working with author Jitna Bhagani, illustrating a book called I Don’t Want To Go To India. I met Jitna coincidentally in Rajasthan last year, and loved her story immediately for illuminating the experience of the diaspora.

Training and Experience

Fine Art degree from Central Saint Martins

Masters in Illustration (online) from Falmouth University

Professional Development:

Kyo Maclear's Writing Picture Books class at Off Assignment (2025).

Member of Picture Books Berlin since 2025

2026 exhibitions

"Time for Tea – Post Wave Prize Illustration Exhibition" June 27 to July 26, 2026, at Suhe Haus, Shanghai

Keep In Touch!

I would love to hear from you! hello@stephgillespie.com

Steph Gillespie

August 2026