Hello!
Mel is represented by Elizabeth Bennett of Transatlantic Agency Contact her here
For inquiries of non-literary illustration work/events please contact Mel directly here
Mel Valentine Vargas
Mel is a queer Miami born, Chicago based, Latine comic creator and illustrator. They work largely with digital media and have a BA in illustration from Columbia College Chicago. As a member of Columbia College Chicago’s 2020 senior class, Mel was awarded Illustrator of the year.
Mel loves drawing minorities and art that their younger self needed while growing up. Their work is largely inspired by LGBT, Hispanic, and fem experiences, and is focused in graphic storytelling with themes that help highlight minority lifestyles of all shapes and sizes. It is Mel's goal to ensure that their illustrations help people who are not often represented feel a little less alone and a lot more love.
When they aren’t working Mel can be found playing with their cats, eating gyoza, or playing farming simulator games.
Mel has worked with Candlewick, Little Brown, Harper Collins, and Penguin Random House. They have also done editorial work with many publications including The Chicago Reader and Lions Roar Magazine.
Follow Mel to stay tuned in on their events, work, and projects!
Instagram @onlinevalentine
Twitter @melvalentinev
Email : Melvalentinev@gmail.com
Resume available upon request
Conventions & Festivals
C2E2 - Chicago, IL (2019, 2020, 2022)
New York Comic Con- New York, NY (2021)
Millennium Park Art Market - Chicago, IL ( 2018,2019)
GalaxyCon- Louisville, KY (2019)
INK Fest Chicago- Chicago, IL (2019)
Michigan Comic Con- Detroit, MI (2019)
Sulzer Library Fest- Chicago, IL (2019)
Comicopolis- Lockport, IL (2019)
Chicago Zine Fest- Chicago, IL (2018) (2019)
PocketCon - Chicago, IL (2017) (2018)
Holiday Art Pop Up - Chicago, IL (2018)
Art Harvest - Chicago, IL (2018)
ComiqueCon - Detroit, MI (2018)
St. Louis Small Press Expo - St. Louis, MO (2018)
ColumCon - Chicago, IL (2018)
Mini Graham Cracker Con- Chicago, IL (2019)