Tara McPherson is an acclaimed American contemporary artist known for her exploration of the human condition through powerful female archetypes. Her captivating portraits, inspired by diverse influences like astrophysics and mythology, reveal the complexities of the psyche. With international exhibitions and recognition as the "crown princess of poster art" by ELLE Magazine, she has created iconic music posters for bands like Beck and Metallica and contributed to character design for Sony Pictures Animation. In 2011, she co-founded The Cotton Candy Machine gallery in Brooklyn, which transitioned to an online store and print publisher. After undergoing life-changing spinal fusion surgery in 2020 due to congenital issues, McPherson took a break from creating art but continued to release fine art prints and license her work. She has published four monographs and has been featured in numerous prominent publications. Her art has appeared in award-winning films and series and is part of prestigious collections, earning multiple accolades in illustration and design. Born in San Francisco in 1976, McPherson has lived in various cities and holds a BFA from Art Center College of Design.