Kiri Yu, or KIRISKA, is 100% Chinese, but has 0% training in traditional Chinese ink painting.

Despite this, they’ve always been drawn to the style of the medium and ended up approaching it in unconventional ways with non-traditional tools and branching subject matter.

Brush pen lines accompany sumi ink and Chinese watercolor on rice paper scrolls, shikishi boards, and other papers. Traditional subjects like tigers, mountains, flowers, and fruit are twisted and blended together in strange ways, demonstrating a deeply rooted but disconnected heritage.

Join us Thursday, September 12th, starting at 6pm, for the opening reception of DOING IT WRONG!

Max Mandell's solo show TIDEPOOL DREAMER opened this past Friday! 🦀

Be sure to make plans to come see this beautiful collection of watercolor work featuring all the best summer beach naturalist vibes. Cool off inside and feel refreshed just looking at these calming works!

Tidepool Dreamer is on display through August 9! You can also browse the show online!

We were stoked to be able to participate in the inaugural Seattle Zine Fest this past Sunday! It was held at the old QFC space on 15th Ave in Capitol Hill, most recently used by Punk Rock Flea Market, so the event shared similar punk and DIY vibes. ♥

There was an amazing turnout of Seattle zinesters, both behind the tables and just wandering around. While we regretably couldn't do zine trades (since we represent the work of so many different artists), some folks gave away zines for free, which is always lovely.

It was also nice to remind lots of people who hadn't been by the store in a while that yes, we still exist! We survived the pandemic! We moved from Shilshole to Market St! We have art supplies now!! And so much more art and classes! Come visit us so we can keep on keeping the dream alive!

It got warm in the afternoon, but it stayed cooler inside than outside, so that was nice! Zine Fest organisers also made sure everyone had cold water, which was very appreciated. Great day overall. Nice to see everyone and we hope to be back next year. :)

Missed us at Zine Fest? We'll be at Fantagraphics' Hot Off the Press Book Fair this Saturday, July 13, in Georgetown!

The most recent Punk Rock Flea Market was in the old QFC space on 15th in Capitol Hill, and as always, the team did an amazing job transforming the vacant space into a work of art. We don't know how long it'll be before a new tenant moves in, but in the meantime, it's the community's!

Thanks to all who stopped by and chatted with us about zines, comix, orcas, and art supplies! We're hoping to go to more local events like this so those of you further away from Ballard and can still get a slice of us. ;) We're always available online too though!

Missed us at PRFM? Want to know where we'll be next? Be sure you're signed up for our weekly newsletter!

THE CATS OF BALLARD opened last night!!

​Thanks to everyone who came out, especially local celebrity Mochi of Ballard Books (our rad neighbours!), who is one of the cool Ballard cats that Kaylyn painted for the show!! 😸 So honored Mochi graced us with her presence. 💖

The show is up through July 12, so be sure to come see it!!

Did you know? Most of our members don't drive! How do we get to work? Usually walking, bussing, or biking! We've got a bus stop and a bike rack right outside! And now YOU can get 10% off every time you visit the store by bike if you've got a Bicycle Benefits sticker!

The sticker is just $5, never expires, and gets you a variety of benefits at businesses across town!

How do you get here by bike? Get thee to the Burke-Gilman Trail and ride west! When you get to the Missing Link at Shilshole, cross Shilshole and take the first right onto 17th, then the first left onto Ballard Ave. Turn right at 20th and use the crosswalk to cross Leary. Push/Pull is on your left as soon as you cross Market St!

Need directions from further away? Let us know where you're coming from and we can make suggestions. :0 You can also multi-modal it, put your bike on the bus or train, and finish your last leg by bike! :)

Free up the parking spaces for folks who gotta drive. ♥

Other Ballard businesses that are a part of the Bicycle Benefits program include the Ballard Farmers Market, Mighty-O Donuts, and Electric & Folding Bikes NW!

This year's Book Club pick is A Journey into the Interior of the Earth by Jules Verne (often also translated as Journey to the Center of the Earth), a classic science fiction tale first published in French in 1864.

Push/Pull Press & Vertvolta Press are collaborating on an illustrated edition of Journey to the Interior of the Earth. Book Club participants will be invited to contribute visual pieces inspired by the novel to this edition of the book, which will then be available at Push/Pull.

All readers are welcome to participate in the Book Club though, whether or not your goal is to make art!

We will meet every Monday in June and July at Push/Pull to discuss the relevant chapters for each session. Come to as many meetings as you're able!