Interview in Super 7Super 7Published on 12/03/2005
This rockin' toy magazine interviews me in Issue 11. Read the transcript below!
Super 7
"The Art of Tara McPherson"
Issue number 11 Tara McPherson is one of those L.A. scene art stars that you are going to want to keep your eye on. With projects ranging from paintings to comic book covers and rock posters, her subjects all seem to know something that you don't. Behind their naive eyes and child- like smooth faces lies a deeper story that we're simply too afraid to ask about. Her beautifully painted characters subtly speak of the indescribable insecurities that we all sometimes feel. This is the magic that draws us into her work. On the heels of Tara's recent move to NYC, Super7 chatted with Tara about her past influences and future projects.
Better inspiration... heartbreak or happiness? Heartbreak, but I think it's the combination of both that makes the best inspiration. That's a complete life. One with the good and the bad. It's the dynamic tension in people's relationships the interests me heavily.
Do you draw inspiration from any Japanese artists? Yes, definitely. Before I went to college I managed a japanese anime store in L.A. for a few years (Banzai Anime). It was there I learned about artists like Miyazaki, Terada, Nara, Murakkami, MIzuno, Nirasawa, Takano, and many other. Of course I can't forget to mention the classics like Hokusai, HIroshige, and Yoshitoshi that I love too. I actually have a few Hokusai drawings tattooed on me and plans for more.
Rumor has it that you have an upcoming toy project. Can you give us any details? Well I finally have a few things going on in the toy world, I'm happy to say. I have two Circus Punks coming out: The Lonely Heart Punk and the Vampire Ninja Punk. After that comes my Lonely Heart Ion which is an L.A. Artist series Dunny by Kid Robot; the War Wound Qee series 2 by OX-OP and Toy 2R; and then my Vampire Ninja Sqwert by Jamungo comes out. I'm in talks right now with a company to discuss doing larger figures of my characters, which I'm super excited about.