Illustrator / Author / Adventurer
Selections, Nominations and Awards
Arts Council of Northern Ireland IERP Awardee, 2020
Jameson Whiskey NI- T-Shirt Design Competition Winner, 2020
Arts Council of Northern Ireland National Lottery SIAP Awardee, 2019
NI Young Artist of the Year Finalist, 2019
Tourism NI - Young Travel Writer of the Year Judge, 2018
Arts Council of Northern Ireland National Lottery SIAP Awardee, 2017
ALSC Notable Children’s Books List, 2015
Hive- Top 5 Children's Books Published August, 2014
Capitol Choices, Up to Seven Nomination, 2013
Coventry Inspiration Book Awards, 2013
Dundee Picture Book Award Shortlist, 2013
Booktrust Bookbuzz, 2013
Junior Magazine - The best picturebooks of 2013
Kate Greenaway Medal Nomination, 2013
Top Reads for KS1- Cumbria County Council, Library Services for Schools, 2013
The Guardian- Top 10 giraffes in children's books, 2013
World Book Day - New Books for 0-5 Pick, 2013
Exhibitions
Womenfolk International Women’s Day Exhibition- Blick Studios, Malone Road, Belfast, 2019
The Braid- NI Young Artist of the Year Finalists Exhibition, January 2019
The Puffin Gallery- Annual 10 x 10 Group Exhibition, August 2018
Gemma, Geoffrey and Friends- Solo Children's Illustration Exhibition, Ulster Hall, Belfast, 2013 - 2014
Picture This.. Children's Illustration Exhibition- A showcase of Templar's new illustrators at Salts Mill, Saltaire Yorkshire, 28th September - 27th October 2013
Picture This.. Children's Illustration Exhibition- A showcase of Templar's new illustrators at Foyles Bookshop, Charing Cross Road, London, 1st - 31st May 2013
New Designers- Islington Business Centre, London, 2011
D&AD New Blood- London, 2011
Illustration Degree Show- University College Falmouth, Cornwall, 2011
Illustrated Book Exhibition- The Poly, Falmouth, 2009
True Colours- (A2 level) An exhibition in Belfast and Omagh showcasing a handful of artists and designers from across the North of Ireland, handpicked by external examiners, 2008
Features, Interviews and Mentions
Blick Shared Studios- Meet the Resident
Belfast Design Week- Big Design Day Out Recap
Trek NI- Gemma O’Neill’s Causeway Coast
Blick Studios- Residents Rundown
Top Tips to Unwind from Blick Residents
Blick Shared Studios Interview
Womenfolk Profile and Interview
Womenfolk Breakfast: Junior.Senior- What We've Learned
The Book Sniffer- Catherine Rayner
Ulster Hall- Gemma, Geoffrey and Friends
Young at Art- Festival in a Day
Book Reviews
Jill Bennett (2)
Work Experience
Freelance Illustrator/Author- 2011 - Present
Belfast Design Week- Marketing and workshop facilitation
Blick Studios- Social media and photography in the Cathedral Quarter, Belfast
Womenfolk- Mentor
R-Space Gallery- Volunteer
Hallmark- Two week long work placement at the Hallmark creative studio in the UK. She specialised in greetings cards and packaging design
Zing Design and Print- Graphic Designer
Bookseller (Supervisor)- Six years experience
Markets and Fairs
Fine and Dandy Market (ongoing)
Corrymeela Christmas Fair, 2018
Belfast Design Week 2018- 25 Pop-Up at Blick Studios, Malone Road and Victoria Square, The Dome
St Joseph’s College Coleraine, Christmas Fair, 2018
Events and Workshops
Belfast Design Week Big Design Day Out- The Big Draw In, 2019
Belfast Design Week- Designers of the Future: Book Design for Girls (age 10-14) workshop with Womenfolk at the Ulster Museum, Belfast, 2018
Womenfolk Breakfast: Junior.Senior Guest Speaker, 2018
North West Regional College Limavady- Guest Lecturer and Tutor, 2014
Oh Dear, Geoffrey book reading and sketchbook presentation at the Waterfront Hall, as part of Belfast Children's Festival, Festival in a Day, 2014
Oh Dear, Geoffrey book signing and reading in Coleraine Waterstones, April 2013
Oh Dear, Geoffrey book launch at Flowerfield Arts Centre, January 2013
Education and Training
Princes Trust- Explore Enterprise Course Graduate, 2018
Falmouth University- Undergraduate (BA) Hons Degree in Illustration, 2011
North West Regional College Limavady- Diploma in Foundation Studies in Art and Design, 2008
Other Links
Anorak Magazine- Write Up and Competition
