Based in Portland, designer Mike Klay seamlessly fuses his passions for drawing and halcyon Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Closing In – art print
2 color screen-print

Beautifully pensive, his latest prints, “Closing In,” capture the satisfying sight of tree-canopy-filtered light.  Furthermore, these GLOW-IN-THE-DARK (oh em gee), and thus prove that not all fluorescent posters have to be of psilocybinic mushrooms (Made by sexually-unsatiated Spencer’s gremlins.  Which work to the monotonous hums of Family Guy.  The more you know.  Shooting star!).

The Early Thaw – art print
3 color screen-print (WITH METALLIC BRONZE)

I love how the sun rays are represented in this print.

Mountain Goats
3 color screen-print

…edelweiss!

Simian Mobile Disco
3 color screen-print

This mad baller Simian Mobile Disco poster was chosen as a GigPosters Poster of the Week.  The faint background of advertisements looks great behind the ultra-glamorous girl.  And I love the movement in her hair!  Super hair commercial-worthy.

Minus the Bear
2 color screen-print

…morbidly delightful.

I am delighted to present to you MIKE KLAY MONDAY (tight shit).  I love how his work gorgeously reflects his life spent surrounded by West Coast scenery, and his use of clean, strong graphics.  He has had the chance to work for a wide range of clients: from Wilco to many local Seattle businesses.  Plus, he sent one of a stupendous photo of himself to S&D.

..as one S&D reader commented, “the totally rad mustache middle-picture-man is rocking.”

Well reader, here is what you have been waiting for.  Learn more about Mike Klay, his design company Powerslide Design Co., and his desire to sell his condo.  ONWARD for the interview!


1. Describe your background. What led you to printing? Where are you currently located? How long have you been designing posters?

I grew up in the Bay Area (San Jose) and went to college at UOP in one of the many armpits of California, Stockton. I was forced by my parents to choose a major and ended up as a Mechanical Engineer. After failing calculus, I decided that I should pursue what I’ve been doing since I was in grade school, drawing. Enter Graphic Design major with a minor in Art History.

I graduated in 2000 and have always had a love for music. I even played drums in a metal band in high school! It was a natural direction for me to fuse my direction in art with music. The concert poster is just that. I moved myself to Seattle and started creating show posters for local venues after I got home from my boring 9-5 corporate design job. I offered up a design I created to a local band, The Senate Arcade, in exchange for learning the basic techniques of screenprinting.

And that’s how it all started in 2003.

2. I would describe my style as…

75% vector drawn shapes / 25% photography

3. I am inspired by…

The natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest and my wife.

4. Can you describe the creative process that goes into making a print?

think, make a note so i don’t forget, look back at that note a couple days later, sketch, choose paper & color scheme,visit the file in illustrator about 20 times and then output films for screenprinting!

5. My favorite print is…

Always changing.

Currently of mine, it’s “Closing in” just because you can display it horizontally or vertically, and it’s the newest. Another Artist? see question 10.

6. What’s on your walls at home?

A couple Daniel Danger’s, an Aaron Horkey, Jay Ryan & Guy Burwell prints (I’m moving so most of my stuff is packed away) also, a canvas piece that i commissioned a friend to create.

7. I am currently listening to…

Ratatat – LP3 and my 4000 songs in shuffle mode.

8. I support…

Anyone who has the guts to try something new. routines are boring!

9. I am against…

The drivers in WA state, man they suck!

10. My best recent purchase was…

Aaron Horkey’s “Whale Bone Grove” & Daniel Danger’s “So how can we hope to float?” at Flatstock 18 in Seattle.

11. I am currently obsessed with…

Moving my wife and two dogs into a house in Portland, OR. Anyone wanna buy a condo?

Visit Powerslide Design Co. to see more of/purchase his prints and sign up for Mike-Klay-updates via email.  HOORAY!

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