UNKNOWN, 1800S For a moment, forget the fact that Earth is a sphere. Forget that the orbit of Earth, along with the orbit of the Sun and Moon, are what will cause the upcoming solar eclipse. Instead, think about the eclipse the way flat-Earthers do: Picture Earth as a flat plane, and picture a Moon […]
Kathleen Marie
Kathleen Marie Barnett is the former art director at the Portland Mercury.
Posted inFeature
Flat Earth, Eclipsed
The Eclipse, as “Explained” by Flat-Earthers
The eclipse, as “explained” by flat-Earthers.
Posted inVisual Art
On the Cover: Corey Arnold’s Wildlife Photography
Corey Arnold A stark close-up photo of a blind bald eagle with its beak wide open wide graced our covers this week, a visceral shot by local photographer Corey Arnold. Since 1995, Arnold has worked as a fisherman off the coast of Alaska, while also capturing the views of what it’s like to live on […]
Posted inVisual Art
So Youn Lee’s Pastel Dreamscapes
Little Blue, 12 x 12, oil and acrylic on panel, 2015 So Youn Lee On the cover this week is So Youn Lee’s pastel neon starry-eyed vision topped with an ice cream hat, peeking through a forest of blue roses and woodland creatures, named Little Blue. I’m not sure what has captured Little Blue, but […]
Posted inFood and Drink
I’ve Got Hungry Eyes
There’s something we need to talk about this weekend, and that’s BRUNCH. It’s that essential weekend meal that brings people of all different hangovers together and makes us human again (or so we hope). In this week’s issue, we found 80 perfect brunches for you to consider, regardless of if you want a brunch that’s […]
Posted inFashion
Thick Thighs are the New Bubble Butt
Sunday is projected to be 100 degrees, which means I won’t be able to keep my thighs inside these anti-cat-calling body-restricting jeans much longer. So THANK YOU Miss Eaves (AKA Shanthony Exum) for this hot new summer anthem called “Thunder Thighs” whose attitude just kills any sense of negativity and fear. Directed, produced, choreographed, and […]
Posted inLGBTQIA+
This Week in the Mercury: Queers Illustrated
Sashiko Yuen Pride Week is here and that means the Mercury‘s Pride issue has arrived, AND IT’S ALL COMICS (mostly)! This year we asked queer artists from within the Pacific NW comics community to create something special just for you to celebrate, reflect, and be entertained by such as: Cover art by Sashiko Yuen, AKA […]
Posted inNews
Scenes from Sunday’s Downtown Protests
Along with our reporters, the Mercury photographers covered yesterday’s downtown rallies which included pro-Trump supporters, anti-fascists, peace keepers, and cops. Here’s just a taste of what they saw. Aaron Lee Kenton Waltz Aaron Lee Aaron Lee Keton Waltz Aaron Lee Aaron Lee Kenton Waltz Kenton Waltz Roscoe Myrick Roscoe Myrick Roscoe Myrick Roscoe Myrick
Posted inVisual Art
A Game of Truth or Dare with Artist Parker Day
Eyeing the 100 faces of Parker Day’s ICON series which opens Thursday, makes me feel like I’m 31 going on 13 again and everything is going to be okay. There’s a nontraditional standard of beauty in all her photos, with her subjects’ eyes glaring, mouths sneering, and cheeks sparkling. Each model brings their own shine […]
Posted inVisual Art
Meet Your New Role Model, Multimedia Artist Marilyn Rondón
ARTWORK BY MARILYN RONDÓN I first learned about Marilyn Rondón after she lost a fight in the ring. Along with a selfie, she shared her honest feelings about loss and losing. Then she got back to work painting large-scale cubist portraits; putting together her body positive zine, Dat Ass; and supporting her Latinx community in […]
Posted inVisual Art
Marilyn Rondón at 1000 Percent
The Multimedia Artist’s Images Stick With You
The multimedia artist’s images stick with you.
Posted inVisual Art
Meet Cover Artist Inés Estrada
On the cover this week is Inés Estrada, a self taught artist from Mexico City, currently based in Texas running an online shop of comics, apparel, and her own designs through Gatosaurio. Her illustrations are tough, sexy, and hilarious—a perfect fit for our issue made by all women and nonbinary contributors. Check out her self-published […]