Lonely Heart: The Art of Tara McPherson

by Tara McPherson

The compelling paintings and posters of Tara McPherson are a tour-de-force of creative tension, at once heartfelt and heartbreaking. Creating art about people and their odd ways, recalling many issues from childhood and adult life experience, McPherson creates images that are thought-provoking and seductive. Tara's array of work includes numerous gig posters for rock bands, including Green Day, Modest Mouse and Death Cab for Cutie, and advertising and editorial illustrations for a diverse group of clients. Her prints and paintings have been exhibited in galleries all over the world. Lonely Heart is the first printed collection of McPherson's work.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Graphic Novels, Comics, Art and Photography

112 pages, Hardcover

First published September 6, 2009

About the author

An artist based out of New York City.

Creating art about people and their odd ways, her characters seem to exude an idealized innocence with a glimpse of hard earned wisdom in their eyes. Recalling many issues from childhood and good old life experience, she creates images that are thought provoking and seductive. People and their relationships are a central theme throughout her work.


From taramcpherson.com

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea. I can see why some people would like it, though.

[Antonomasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not quite as much of a Tara fan as I used to be, so the rating is retrospective. I seem to want more visual depth and shading or something now. But the three-painting comic-panel sequence 'Dream a Little Dream' is still more eloquent than words could be about life with heartbreak and grief.
Warning: contains emo-ness
one
(you can get there by pressing Next, but anyway)
two
three

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

My art has always had a very strong personal essence to it. What I go through emotionally and observe people going through has a significant effect on my art, conceptually speaking. It's cathartic for me to create my art. I get through my emotional turmoil by drawing and painting images. It is a necessity for me to contemplate ideas through that catharsis. Romantic disasters are a very powerful source of inspiration, whether they belong to my friends or me. The stationery set's main character, Orian, is a very strong woman, and you can tell she has a dynamic personality. She's not depressed, she's an empowered female character who has survived emotional turmoil.

I am not usually one for art books but this one caught Tania's eye in our local Oxfam bookshop and she said I'd enjoy it, especially the music posters featuring a number of artists who I like.

Tania wasn't wrong. The original artworks are stunning, particularly Zombirella, which I am now trying to find as a print! The music posters are totally up my street too, with the Depeche Mode, High on Fire, and The Mars Volta all standing out.

An added bonus is that this copy is signed by McPherson with an original doodle and also had the flyer from the meet and greet event inside too. It makes me wonder what led to the book being given up by the previous owner, but it now has a new loving home. 4 1/2 stars.

[Black Tea Lady ☕️📚 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me encanta el arte de Tara, sobretodo cuando descubrí un póster de ella en la película de Juno. Los personajes femeninos con flecos que cubren los ojos y con un hueco en forma de corazón del tamaño del pecho, es la firma distintiva de esta artista. 👍🏻💕

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Tara Mc's artwork, and thus very happy to take this home from my library. I was not at all disappointed by the content, but I was unhappy that I was already familiar with most of the works presented. I was looking for something new. Dropping that expectation, this is an excellent collection of her various works--independent pieces mix with comicbook and album covers as well as concert posters. For her fans, this book is quickly and repeatably devourable.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As you can tell by my avatar I really like Tara McPherson. Although I'm not a big fan of cutey art Tara transcends it by laying on tons of style, sex and melancholy. Go to her website, once you've seen her work you'll be won over.

[nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not mind blowing; too much repeated imagery if you ask me, but if you like Tara McPherson, you'll like this. Coolest aspect is the tracing paper sheets that lay over the colored images to show both pen/ink and final versions of the art.

[Jewel Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dear friend got me this for my birthday and i LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! I just adore this woman's artwork.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it! Looks so simple and so beautifull.
And Mr. Wiggles is to die for!
Thank you for the fantastic work. :)

[Brandi Denson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collection of her work

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible artwork. Thinking of getting a Tara McPherson tattoo.

[Zanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

19.95

[harlequin {Stephanie} · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique.

[Mike Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stunning work. A beautiful collection that shows the sketches and the finished work.Discussion of her style of work and what inspires her.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Tara McPherson's work, and this is a great introduction to her unique style.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely stuff…great mix of soft colors and Goth sensibilities.