The Flytrap Fellows

The Flytrap's fellowship program invites illustrators, writers, and other creatives to join the collective for six months of collaboration and exploration. We encourage our fellows to take on fun challenges, try new media formats and narrative styles, or make room for projects they've had trouble pursuing in the midst of busy schedules with limited time for experimentation. Our fellowships also uphold our values of providing training and opportunities to early-career creatives, and at the same time, we look forward to learning from our fellows.

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Winter-Spring 2026 Flytrap Fellow: Illustrator Melissa Em

Artist bio

Melissa is a digital illustrator born, raised, and surviving in Chicago who found her passion for art later in life. Self-taught with no traditional training, she's guided by her curiosity and inspired by the beauty and interest in everyday things that surround her.

Artist statement

I've always wanted to be an artist, but physical media intimidated me and created a barrier to entry. Getting an iPad and using Procreate opened up an entire world to me, making it more accessible than ever to explore my creativity. Every piece starts with a chicken scratch sketch on paper, and I always enjoy seeing the journey from rough sketch to finished illustration. I prefer working with limited colors because I love how it challenges me to find different ways to add contrast and interest to my art, having to rely on different textures, shapes, sizing, and composition to make elements stand out. Texture is a huge part of my work, and I love how much life it brings to digital pieces.

Statement about the Residency

When The Flytrap put out a call for artists last summer, I applied to challenge myself, with no expectation of hearing back. A few months later, I was lucky enough to get to collaborate with amazing humans on my first commission, which led to this incredible opportunity—being chosen for the Residency. Over the next 6 months, I look forward to working with such a brilliant team of people who are so good at what they do, and to get to bring some of their written pieces to life visually as I push myself to try new things, experiment with my style, and find my voice as an artist.

You can follow Melissa on Bluesky, and see Melissa's work at The Flytrap in October 2025's "Housing Haunts Me"!