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.

Trail of the Month

Cape Horn

Activity: Hiking | Distance: 7 Miles | Rating: Moderate

10/14/2011 By Brian Barker

Mudroom

Rebuilding the Male

Portland men join a national plastic surgery boom.

10/14/2011 By Martin Patail

Mudroom

DIY Five

A Portland artist’s new book lends kids a crafty hand for the season of indoor fun.

10/14/2011 By Zach Dundas

Mudroom

So Happy Together

Synergies abound as local entrepreneurs shack up.

10/14/2011 By Eleanor R. Brown

Mudroom

Jump Start

How ’70s skyjacker D.B. Cooper’s leap launched our greatest (and maybe last) modern outlaw myth.

10/14/2011 By Julian Smith

Trail of the Month

Ghost Lake

Activity: Scary Good Hiking | Distance: 3 Miles | Rating: Moderate

09/21/2011 By Brian Barker

Mudroom

PDX Index: Halloween

09/21/2011 By Rebekah Roberson

Cover Story

Fall Getaways: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

12 spectacular places to spend a long weekend.

09/19/2011 Edited by Kasey Cordell By Brian Barker, Zach Dundas, Rachel Ritchie, Martin Patail, and Eleanor R. Brown

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

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

Washed Out?

07/22/2011 By Ryan Donaldson

Mudroom

The Perfect Party: August 2011

People we’d most like at our dinner table this month.

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 many. But for women who serve their country, some of the greatest dangers come from an enemy within: men.

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

People we’d most like at our dinner table this month.

06/29/2011

Mudroom

Press Play

While some mourn the “death of print,” e-publishing gives innovative Portland writers, publishers, and even booksellers new hope.

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