Based in St. Louis, Melissa Whitaker is a dedicated and versatile illustrator who seamlessly blends traditional media with digital techniques to craft captivating artwork. Melissa's art captivates with its vivid colors and deep emotional resonance. It reflects the diverse experiences of her upbringing in Hawaii, Southern California, New Jersey, and Southeast Missouri. Themes of solitude and self-discovery are prevalent in her work, stemming from a solitary childhood that found solace and expression through a pivotal second-grade art assignment.
Melissa's creative process is both systematic and intuitive. It often begins with road trips and music, allowing her mind to wander and leading to sketches and collages. Her collage technique, an amalgamation of paper, books, newspapers, and various textures, is meticulously layered physically and digitally. When digitized, the luminous effects of tissue paper breathe life into her compositions.
Beyond her artistic endeavors, Melissa finds joy in traveling, kayaking, and photography, further enriching her creative perspective.
Merit Award 3x3 Annual 41, Winner and Runner-Up for Creative Quarterly 75, Finalist for Communication Arts 2024, Winner and Runner-Up for Creative Quarterly 73