Tara McPherson

SDCC, Graphika Manila and Vinyl on Vinyl in The Philippines

tara@taramcpherson.com (Tara McPherson) — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0700

I took a break from painting to do some awesomely massive events in San Diego and The Philippines this month. It's a lot of pics for this entry so I'll get right to it!!

My booth at Comic Con and my lovely helpers Sara Antoinette Martin and my neice Malia.

A big ass awesome art posse that gathered at the Hyatt for some chit chat! Let's see, we got Chris Ryniak, Buffmonster, Jon Schnepp (Metalocalypse), Sean (Zerofriends), Alex Pardee, Lola, Travis Louie and others....

Oh yeah.

With Skinner, Alex Pardee, and Attaboy.

Number one fan!

Loving this new shirt by Alex Pardee's brand Zerofriends. FULL ON. (If you live in a bubble and you're not getting this joke see here!)

After comic con, I ran into Junko Mizuno randomly in the San Francisco airport! She was on her way to LA for her show at Merry Karnowski Gallery.

After a long long plane ride we were finally in Japan! Where we immediately joined the Japanese Gigantic Jenga competition. Not.

There was a cos play festival going on that day so we saw some sweet costumes.

Found some rad toy shops.

Sean is big in Japan.

We found an amazing Unagi restaurant... I'm not sure what part of the Eel this is, but I ate it!

Found Totoro's house!

Then it was off to The Philippines! Here is the first boat we took to get to the island of Boracay.

Amazingly gorgeous there.

Sean gettin' in some flip action.

Buying pearls on the beach. P.S. I think I would retire in the Philippines... everything is dirt cheap there! This strand of pearls were like $5 and beers cost about .40! Shhhhh!!!

Serious.

Not really :)

Some of the trikes they use for transportation. Some a little more pimped than others!

I think this is the 3rd dirtiest river in the world. PARTY!!

I'm always on the lookout for good Engrish shirts.

Then it was time for the Graphika event in Manila! Here is me beginning my lecture in front of 2000 artists and students.

With the other speakers that included Danny Yount, Phunk Studios, and Avid Liongoren.

Someone's asleep on the job...

Then it was off to Vinyl on Vinyl for the big afterparty where there were bands playing covers from bands I had done posters for... preeeeety cool!

The next day I did a live painting event with some local artists in Manila. It's not every day you get to paint with a Tusken Raider!

Some happy people that came down to hang out.

Painting away...

Someone gave me this awesome pussy necklace and I love it.

Then I started signing things for people upstairs. It was nice because it was just one group at a time so I really got the chance to meet some of the fans that came out and talk one on one. Very cool.

Here are the other 3 artists I painted with. I suck and I cant remember their names but they were all super awesome.

With the owners of Vinyl on Vinyl, Pia, JJ, and Gaby Dela Merced who is also a world famous Race Car driver! Badass!!

The next day it was back to Vinyl On Vinyl for the 3rd day to do some interviews and photoshoots. I got laced into my first corset there! Could barely breath but it looks good!

For Uno magazine.

Some of the magazine photographers and stylists that helped out.

People ride on anything and anywhere to get around town.

Some students going to class.

Another boat ride, this time to The Volcano Island. We also heard a real cock fight that was happening right next to this.

We got to ride ponies up the volcano!

Some steam coming out of the side of the rocks.

Up at the top! Ta'al Volcano conquered!!! These red rocks we were standing on were like 150 degrees... super hot.

This pretty much sums up our amazing trip. It was BANGUS!!!!

Biyeeee!!!

San Diego Comic Con!

tara@taramcpherson.com (Tara McPherson) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700

It's almost time again for another fun filled, action packed week at the San Diego Comic Con! I'll be at my normal booth 4922 this year, but with some brand new exciting news! The unveiling of my new brand, The Cotton Candy Machine!

We are premiering with 4 new shirt designs at San Diego Comic Con, that will expand to more later including collaborations with other artists, bands and much much more. ALSO, We will be opening The Cotton Candy Machine retail store! Opening next Spring 2011 in the heart of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY! It will be your one stop shop for all things Tara McPherson, plus prints, shirts, books and more from tons of all your other favorite artists. The Cotton Candy Machine will also have a small gallery with bi-monthly openings focusing on small and affordable art works.

I'm really so excited about this venture because it provides an opportunity to hold events and do some of the things I've been wanting to do for so long. Movie nights with a projector? YES! Book signings? YES! A real cotton candy machine? YES! All in my own store! Yay! But getting back to the subject at hand... COMIC CON!! Below is my signing schedule for the whole dang event!

Booth 4922.
All signing times are at my booth unless otherwise noted.

Wednesday- 6-9 pm
Thursday- 2-3, 5-6 pm
Friday- 2-3, 4-5, 6-7 pm at Artist as Brand panel Room 8
Saturday- 2-3, 5-6 pm
Sunday- 1-2 at the Dark Horse Booth , 4-5 pm

Well... and if that wasnt enough news for you, there's more!! The first 50 people each day that come to the booth and buy a Cotton Candy Machine shirt will receive one of our brand new offset prints (of your choice) FREE with purchase! OMG!

There you have it kids! Lots of new stuff... hope to see you there!
XO Tara

Speaking at OFFF in Paris

tara@taramcpherson.com (Tara McPherson) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700

I just returned from an awesome trip where I was invited to speak at The OFFF Festival in Paris France.

Arriving in Paris we got some time to see some beautiful views.

The tower sparkles at night, so cute!

Getting ready for my talk. Got my dancin' mic on yo!

Here is my view out to the audience of 3000 attendees! My biggest audience so far! And this is only the right half of the audience that you can see from this angle.

View from the audience...

So crazy!

A lil' interview for G4 TV afterwards. JAZZ HANDS!

Then it was time to celebrate!! My friend Timba who makes Wooden Toy Magazine, my boyfriend Sean from Zerofriends, and designer Greg Beer.

YES HIS LAST NAME IS BEER!!! Awesome...

Then it was off to Spoleto for the Pop Surrealism show I had a couple paintings in at The Carandente Museum. It was curated and the collection of Alexandra Mazzanti, owner of Dorothy Circus Gallery in Rome.

Here is me, Sean, and Alexandra checking out the show catalog published by Drago.

Alexandra and me in front of my pieces.

Afterwards we went to Rome to hang out for a few days. I had some trouble at the Pope's house.

The last day we stopped into Mondo Bizarro Gallery to check Camilla D'Errico's show. The owners were there and gave me this nice poster made by my friend Chuck Sperry from Firehouse and we had some nice white wine.

Ffffound!

tara@taramcpherson.com (Tara McPherson) — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Super fun site for random awesome images people have found on the internet. And good inspiration if you're looking for some. Ffffound!

June Update

tara@taramcpherson.com (Tara McPherson) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0700


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June Event Update!

Hello everyone! I've been hard at work on the beginnings of my solo show for the end of October at Jonathan LeVine Gallery. It's such an exciting time as I'm working on new subject matter for this and delving into new territory! But I've had some time to do some new fun things that I'll tell you about below.

Also something that I need to make a comment about to begin this update, I have noticed that my most recent posters' subject matter have been dealing a lot with the way I think we are wrongly treating our planet. To be honest most of humanity is completely disgusting to me with their complete disregard for our surroundings and the manner in which we treat each other. I feel helpless about it sometimes, but I TRY do what I can in the choices I make in my purchases, the way I live my life, and hopefully most effectively, what I am saying with my art with these new pieces. I feel I need to help in whatever way I can, so I will be donating a portion of the sales of the Liars and High on Fire posters to charities I believe will provide the most direct help possible to the dire environmental situations we are in.

High On Fire Poster

Now with extra pinky gooeyness!

6 Color Silkscreen
17" x 23"
Edition of 300
$25

These will be released this Thursday, June 10th at 3 PM EST.
Please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery.

PURCHASE HERE

A portion of the proceeds of this poster will be donated to Oceana, and The Audobon Society who is working directly to aid birds and habitat affected by the Gulf Oil Spill.

Liars Poster

Jellyfish and space helmets, oh my! My new Liars poster also goes on sale this Thursday. Limited to only 100!

6 Color Silkscreen
17" x 23"
Edition of 100
$40

These will be released this Thursday, June 10th at 3 PM EST.
Please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery.

PURCHASE HERE

A portion of the proceeds of this poster will be donated to Oceana, and The Audobon Society who is working directly to aid birds and habitat affected by the Gulf Oil Spill.

Faith No More Poster

I'm very proud to announce my Faith No More poster. This will ONLY be available at the show and on SecretSerpents.com the next morning.

The on sale time at Secret Serpents will be July 3, 2010 at 1:00 PM EST.

MORE INFO: Secret Serpents

LOST Poster

Here is my contribution to the LOST poster series by Damon Carlton and a PolarBear. I got given the scene where Jin and Sun die together in the submarine. Even though Jin can save himself, he makes the ultimate sacrifice and stays with his beloved, drowning in the water... til death do they part. I wanted this image to be really emotional and heartfelt, showing their tenderness and love for one another, but also showing the the moment of death as they slip away into unconsciousness forever. I'm very happy with the way this turned out!

This print is a 6 Color Silkscreen and is 18" x 24" and is $50. The print can also be hung any orientation which I wanted to do to add to the weightlessness of the characters. Though I did have to pick one side to sign and number them :)

You can purchase the poster here.

DRAW: Mexico City

The amazing and humongous DRAW exhibition continues to tour the world with the next stop being in Mexico City! The drawing for my LIARS poster is the one I chose to include in this next exhibition. Please contact Fuse Gallery for details on purchasing the drawing.

DRAW: MEXICO CITY
June 19-Aug 15th, 2010
Museo de la Ciudad de Mexico
30 Pino Suárez, Juarez, DIF 06600 Mexico

Curated by Erik Foss and Curse Mackey
(I will not be in attendance)

MORE INFO: Fuse Gallery

OFFF Paris 2010

I will be a speaker at OFFF in Paris, along with artists like Wooster Collective, Keith Scholfield, and many more.

I will be giving my lecture on Friday, June 25 at 11:30 am.

OFFF International Festival for the Post-Digital Creation Culture
June 24 - June 26, 2010
La Grande Halle de la Villette, Paris, France

MORE INFO: OFFF Paris

Carandente Museum in Spoleto

Curated by Alexandra Mazzanti of Dorothy Circus Gallery and in collaboration with Jonathan LeVine Gallery, a major exhibition at the Carandente Museum in Spoleto, Italy during "Spoleto Festival dei due Mondi".

Joe Sorren, Alex Gross, Mark Ryden, Shepard Fairey, Camille Rosew Garcia, Esao Andrews, Jeff Soto, Gary Baseman, Travis Louie, Adam Wallacavage, Ray Caesar, James Jean, Tim Biskup, myself and more...

June 26th to October 15th, 2010
Opening reception is on June 26th and I will be in attendance.

MORE INFO: Festival Spoleto

Other Stuff

• You too can help in the effort to ban offshore drilling by signing the petition at Oceana.

• Comic Con is just around the corner, and I will have some biiiiig news to announce and some new releases that you can be the first to get!!

• Vegan cupcakes are just the best. Way better tasting then regular ones for some reason. Which I have no problem eating as well.

• Rats are scary.

• The Big Business record, Mind the Drift that features the new Japanese guitarist is so retardedly fantastic.

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LOST Poster

tara@taramcpherson.com (Tara McPherson) — Thu, 20 May 2010 00:00:00 -0700

I'm happy to finally be able to announce my contribution to the Lost poster series by Damon Carlton and a PolarBear.

I got given the scene where Jin and Sun die together in the submarine. Even though Jin can save himself, he makes the ultimate sacrifice and stays with his beloved, drowning in the water... til death do they part.

I wanted this image to be really emotional and heartfelt, showing their tenderness and love for one another, but also showing the the moment of death as they slip away into unconsciousness forever. I'm very happy with the way this turned out!

Here is my rough sketch for the idea.

The final drawing

And here is a pic of the metallic ink used in the split fountain. This print is a 6 color Silkscreen and is 18" x 24". The print can also be hung any orientation which I wanted to do to add to the weightlessness of the characters. Though I did have to pick one side to sign and number them :)

This poster went on sale today at Damon Carlton and a Polar Bear and can be purchased directly through them right here. You can also see all the other rad posters by the likes of Jeff Soto, Daniel Danger and others too!

Art Basel Miami 2009

tara@taramcpherson.com (Tara McPherson) — Sat, 08 May 2010 00:00:00 -0700

These are things and people that I saw...

Crack-A-Thon GWAR Interview

tara@taramcpherson.com (Tara McPherson) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700

This past weekend I was asked by MF Gallery in Brooklyn to come down to their Crack-a-Thon fundraiser hosted by none other than the bloodiest evilest metalest monster band around... GWAR! Of course I jumped at the opportunity! We all had a blast as they interviewed artists and writers and did ridiculous commercials. Awesome!

Above is a short video at the beginning of our silly interview.

Shootin the shit...

They were promising me a tropical vacation... I didnt believe them.

Talking about my stick on vagina... I was saying how some people wear their heart on their sleeves, and how that night I decided to wear my vagaina on my pants.

After the make-up comes off...

And if you feel like it you can watch the whole segment HERE!!

Offset Dublin

tara@taramcpherson.com (Tara McPherson) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Now that I'm home in NYC for a while I'm finally getting a chance to go though all my pics from the end of last year and finish all these blogs! I know I know, it's about goddamn time! Well here you go then :)

There was a whole slew of amazing artists... ANTHONY BURRILL (UK), ASBESTOS (IRL), ATELIER (IRL), BRAD DOWNEY (USA),CHIP KIDD (USA), CHRIS HAUGHTON (IRL), D*FACE (UK), DANIEL DANGER (USA), DAVE MCKEAN (UK), THE GODDESS GUIDE (IRL), GRAPHIC THOUGHT FACILITY (UK), HOUSE INDUSTRIES (USA), JAMES JEAN (USA), LONDON POLICE (NL), MASSIMO & LELLA VIGNELLI (USA), PENTAGRAM (UK), PJ LYNCH (IRL), OLIVER JEFFERS (IRL), DAVID SHRIGLEY (UK), SERGE SEIDLITZ (UK), STUDIO AAD (IRL), TARA MCPHERSON (USA), UNIVERSAL EVERYTHING (UK)

I have to say speaking with all these artists was a beautiful experience. I was so excited to see everyone's talks...London Police were hilarious and turned out to be awesome bro's, Chip Kidd was adorable and super funny, James Jean was mind blowing as always, Daniel Danger is doing such great work now, but most especially David Shrigley. What an awesome weirdo... my fav!!

The first night there was an art battle which was packed but fun to watch. I even joined in for a quick sec.

This guy was rapping like crazy. He was pretty damn good for a white guy :)

Here is James giving his lecture. I'm not going to post many of the event because they are all so dark, but what a great 3 days of listening to artist stories!

Here is an art collab that happened at the event afterparty on some plexiglass.

Why go bald? I don't know!

My family is from Dublin originally, so it was neat to find my name all over the place!

Went to the Jameson Factory, and I now an OFFICIAL Irish Whiskey drinker. YES!!!

I got to chat with my bunny Jupiter while I was gone, he missed me so much last year!

Sláinte with Bren B, one of the organizers of OFFSET. Rad guy.

I dont even know...

Got to do some sightseeing in Howth.

I brought my sister along with me for the trip, it was her first time to Europe. She loved Ireland!

He was talking to me I swear...

When I'm in other countries I love looking at the covers on the streets.

It was so cool that there was so much of the language still in Gaelic on the signs and so many people there still spoke it. And I love there is still a street called CORN EXCHANGE PLACE. Can't beat that. That's old school.

In the museum they actually had a stuffed Panda bear... i couldn't belive it. I had to sneak this photo real quick style.

One of the most memorable places was getting to visit the Kilmainham Gaol (Kilmainham Jail) which in now a musem. This is where they imprisoned all the leaders of the Irish Rebellion against the British rule. Many were executed here. The story was grand to hear while walking the halls of the jail... I really felt the pain of my ancestors. This archway above the entrance is where they would perform the public hangings.

One of the jail doors.

Looking through the peephole on the door into the cell.

When the jail got redesigned during the Victorian Era, they made a huge main room with lots of sunlight, under the thoery that prisoners needed light to find inspiration in finding god and getting rehabilitated.

Grace Plunkett, an activist prisoner painted this in her cell. She was allowed to marry her husband Joseph Plunkett in jail just 3 hours before his execution...

Outside in the courtyard where the excecutions occured. They would pin a pice of white paper over the hearts of the men for the executioners to aim at.

Well after that experience we needed to absorb it all and wind down with a beer, so we went to the Guiness Factory! The bar with the free Guiness is on the top floor so you get a beautiful view of Dublin...

Pretty sister...

Then it was off to London for a couple days where James Jean and I spoke together a small event called Comica. I got to meet up with some of my good friends at my favorite London metal bar Crobar afterwards!

I found some drawings on the wall there from a year ago from Jim Mahfood, Scott Campbell and me!

Then I got to meet David who runs the Sonisphere Music Festival. We got along great as you can see :) I just finished a poster for them. Check it here.

Party with the pants?

tara@taramcpherson.com (Tara McPherson) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Hipster Puppies

tara@taramcpherson.com (Tara McPherson) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Oh man, this site is awesomely funny...
hipsterpuppies

'Penny cannot believe you put a tablespoon of butter in the pasta when she’s told you a thousand times that she’s vegan.'

My new Hello Kitty tattoo

tara@taramcpherson.com (Tara McPherson) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Done by my friend JK5 at Saved Tattoo in Brooklyn!

Dr. Sketchy's NYC

tara@taramcpherson.com (Tara McPherson) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Organized and hosted by the lovely Molly Crabapple, Dr. Sketchy's is a cabaret themed life drawing session for the anti-art school kids. Who doesnt love burlesque, booze and boobs! Well Molly has been hosting these artists themed Dr. Sketchy's sessions lately with folks such as David Stoupakis and Ron English, and she asked me to do one as well. Of course I jumped at the chance to see one of my characters come to life like that. All I had to do was show up and behold the wonder!

Here is the make-up artist working on the amazing model Stormy Leather...

Final fixings...

And she's ready for the stage! Pics are by David Godichaud.

My favorite pic of them all.

The ladies come together!

Signing some prints for the give away prizes!

Some drawings

What an awesome crowd!

Of course it wouldn't be complete without some drinking contests...

With Molly, hostest w the mostest.

And with Stormy! It was amazing to see one of my characters in real life. It was completely surreal... Afterwards we went to dinner, she left her make up on, and I couldnt stop laughing in amazement... I love it! One of the coolest nights ever...

Buff Monster and I paint together

tara@taramcpherson.com (Tara McPherson) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Here's Buff Monster and I working on our first collaborative painting together at Miami Art Basel. This was FUN!

Dragon Con!!

tara@taramcpherson.com (Tara McPherson) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Finally geting to the fun pics that I took at Dragon Con from September. I got flown in as the Guest of Honor (I even got a plaque for that believe it or not, and got to have dinner next to Leonard Nemoy and William Shatner!)

First of all this event is just crazy. So many people dressed up, so much fun had, so much booze everywhere. IT WAS AWESOME.

Here we have an awesome group shot of some of my favorite peeps! Mike Mignola, David Mack, Jim Mahfood, Jeremy Atkins, Thom Trainor, a lady, Shannon Stewart, a dude, and Billy Messina.

The Dragon Con booklet cover that I did.

Awesome-O!!! I have to say this was one of my fav's. Downright simple and silly. Perfect.

David Mack did a drawing of me dancing. Maybe I DO look retarded dancing? I like to think not though... I'm just doin' the robot.

Bootleg sticker of my art someone showed me...

Then I stopped by my friend Brent from Mastodons house, and he has my Ace and Ion toys sitting on his organ. Cute!

I've been into taking photos of other peoples photos. Here is a crazy rooster my friend took a photo of in Hawaii. Ol' crazy eye!

This is the view looking up in one of the hotels. It's like a whale's ribcage. Or as Ron Burgundy would say... A whale's vagina.

My booth!

Sweet Addam's Family posse.

I DO COCAINE!!!!

Then I found the best costume everrrrr!!! This girl spent like 2 months making this outfit from my Lost Constellations painting! Soooooo rad. Sooooo soooo sooo rad.

DUDE!

Juan (ex Torche guitarist) came to hang out.

Bro'in down with my bro Eric Powell.

Me and Debbie gettin some Chewie lovin!

Warriors Cookie Monster!

Hi Ross!

Best lil guy in the whole thing.

Super D Chewie.

Uh oh!

It's close to midnight and something evil's lurking in the dark...

Grrrrr....

Popetine! Ha!

Didnt really want an uncomfortably long hug...

Sean and a butt!

Me and Sarah and a wiener in a cup!

Arial view of the maddness...

Another photo of a photo. Get your mind out of the gutter! It's a cut on a hand!

Reno 911!

This Bumblebee costume was all legit.

Lemon Out!!

Nothin more awesome than a chicken dance to offset the horrible drum circle that was happening in the other room...

Sexy trooper time...

This is true,.

Ridin dirty!

Met a girl at the bar we were hanging at that had one of my pieces tattoed on her. Awesome randomness.

Then it was off to the aquarium for some relaxing underwater time to wind down from the con. Beluga whales!

Oh hi!

Lil buddies.

He eats things.

These guys don't travel much.

Baby Cthulhu.

Elegance with the Jellyfish... ahhhh.....