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.

Mudroom

Five Questions For… Vanessa Veselka

The Portland author reads from Zazen, her surreal and scintillating first novel, at Powell’s on June 13.

05/20/2011 By Zach Dundas

Culturephile

Home Maker

Crafter and writer Susan Beal offers two new guidebooks for a generation rediscovering the excitement of the handmade.

05/20/2011 By Anne Adams

Article

Hollywood Farmers Market

04/22/2011 By Zach Dundas

Trail of the Month

Trout Lake Ice Cave

Activity: Spelunking | Distance: Less than a mile | Rating: Easy

04/22/2011 With Brian Barker

Mudroom

PDX Index: Farmers Markets

04/22/2011 By Katherine Garvey

The Mudroom

PDX Index: Tax Season

03/16/2011 By Katherine Garvey

Trail of the Month

Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve

Activity: bird watching | Distance: up to 4 miles Rating: easy

03/09/2011 With Brian Barker

Mudroom

PDX Index: Spring Cleaning

02/22/2011 By Nicole Morales

Trail of the Month

Neahkahnie Mountain

This month's trail is Neahkahnie Mountain, located 23 miles north of Tillamook. The trail offers spectacular views 1,600 feet above Oswald West State Park.

02/14/2011 With Brian Barker