Michael Novak was born in Los Angeles, and lived in New York City for ten years before moving to Portland in 2007—officially placing him in the category of “person most despised by native-born Portlanders.” Over a 20-year career, he’s been an editorial Art Director at Time Warner and Portland Monthly, as well as an illustrator, designer, animator, and storyboard artist.

The highlight of Mike’s brief animation career was a year-long stint as a character layout animator on the Fox show King of The Hill, before he decided that drawing Hank Hill all day long was pretty damn boring. After the act of sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring put the kibosh on his freelance illustration career, he discovered design, which he loves.

His duties at Portland Monthly consist of making the magazine look and read awesomely, by designing covers, features, and pretty much anything else. In his free time he likes to sleep.

COVER STORY

Go By: Automobile

Road trips with drives as dazzling as the destinations

09/19/2011 By Kelly Clarke and Rachel Ritchie

Mudroom

PDX Index: First Thursday

First Thursday by the numbers.

08/19/2011 By Eleanor R. Brown

Mudroom

Plantwise: Blue Bonanza

Growing fruit in your backyard is a berry, berry good idea.

07/22/2011 By Kate Bryant

Mudroom

PDX Index: Rivers

PDX Index takes us to the rivers.

07/22/2011 By Ryan Donaldson

Mudroom

The Perfect Party: August 2011

The guests will be arriving soon. Do we need more chairs?

07/22/2011

Editor’s Note

State of Refuge

07/22/2011 By Randy Gragg

FEATURE

The Hidden War

Bullets, bombs, IEDs. For today's armed forces, the risks are myriad. But for the women serving their country, some of the greatest threats come from an enemy within: their fellow soldiers. The stories of three Oregon women demonstrate the many ways sexua

07/20/2011 By Kasey Cordell

Get Out

Forest Park Guide: The Best Hikes

There's no shortage of hiking trails in Forest Park. The trick is picking a favorite.

06/29/2011 Edited by Brian Barker

Mudroom

Plantwise: Plan for Winter (Yes)

Summer is the time to plant seeds and make plans.

06/29/2011 By Kate Bryant

Mudroom

The Perfect Party: July 2011

The Dude abides at this month's Perfect Party.

06/29/2011

Mudroom

Press Play

Local writers get the last word with e-books.

06/29/2011 By Martin Patail

PAIRINGS

Beer Meets Grill

Because fine food and craft beer constitute the latest culinary dream team, we asked three local brewers to share their favorite BBQ recipes—and explain which summer brew will best accompany their dish of choice.

06/24/2011 By John Chandler

Mudroom

PDX INDEX: Fireworks

There's always something blowing up at PDX Index.

06/24/2011 By Emily Burton

Article

Oregon Coast Guide: Coast Quest

If you can't commit to a coastal jaunt, you can at least play the game.

05/20/2011

Trail of the Month

Mount Defiance

Visit the highest point in the Columbia River Gorge for a stunning variety of views.

05/20/2011 By Brian Barker

Mudroom

PDX Index: Portland Parks

Expand your knowledge of local recreation areas.

05/20/2011 By Melanie Glass

Mudroom

Five Questions For… Vanessa Veselka

Vanessa Vaselka creates a dystopian version of Portland, that's not really Portland.

05/20/2011 By Zach Dundas

Culturephile

Home Maker

With Portland's prevailing DIY ethos a fact of life, it's no wonder we're embracing author Susan Beal's crafty ways.

05/20/2011 By Anne Adams

Article

Hollywood Farmers Market

The Hollywood Farmers Market strikes the perfect balance between variety and accessibility. As you pick up strawberries from Unger Farms, enjoy a handmade Sol Pop.

04/22/2011 By Zach Dundas

Trail of the Month

Trout Lake Ice Cave

The Trout Lake Ice Cave in Washington state, is a lava tube glaciere, which boasts otherworldly icy pillars, columns and crystallized stalagmites.

04/22/2011 With Brian Barker