Olwyn Whelan, Dublin-based illustrator, studied visual communications at D.I.T and postgraduate illustration at Edinburgh College of Art.
Olwyn worked as a senior graphic designer for design agencies in Edinburgh and Glasgow. She also became a part-time lecturer in Glasgow, before she decided to freelance in illustration full time.
She was a cartoonist and editorial illustrator for the Scotsman Newspaper in Edinburgh, and from that went on to illustrating children’s books, which she is very passionate about.
Some of her books include:
The Barefoot Book of Princess, The Barefoot Book of Pirates, The Mermaid of Cafur, The Barefoot Book of Blessings and tales from Celtic Lands – all published by Barefoot Books.
The Star Child by Oscar Wilde published by Pavilion Books.
Spellbound, a collection of traditional Irish fairytales, written by Ireland’s first Children’s Laureate, Siobhan Parkinson,
Olwyn’s latest book is Magic!, edited by Siobhan Parkinson which is a collection of new fairy tales by current Irish authors including, John Boyne, Siobhan Parkinson and Paula Leyden.
Both books published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books.
Other projects include illustrations for a set of four Christmas Stamps for An Post, a series of Christmas cards and Advent Calendars for UNICEF, and also work for Cricket Magazine and Mc Graw Hill publishers, both U.S publishers.
Olwyn was shortlisted twice for the CBI book of the year award.
Olwyn now lives in Co. Dublin, with her husband, 2 children and a very large and exuberant standard poodle called Pablo!
Olwyn is a member of Illustrators Ireland & Childrens Books Ireland
