A line wrapped around the Akron Art Museum atrium Sunday as people waited for a peek of their final destination: a table filled with teal and pink portraits of women, often pictured shimmering among stars in space or submerged in water.
Artist Tara McPherson kicked off her nine-state pop-up shop tour in Akron from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, where she sold and signed merchandise and held a Q&A session for museum members afterward.
McPherson took time to interact with those in line while Sean Leonard, co-owner of their art company called Cotton Candy Machine, zipped around taking pictures of the crowd of a couple hundred and assisting them with purchases.
“This experience? Priceless,” he said to people as he waved his hands over McPherson’s book of posters.
Jennifer Pelton of Akron stood by waiting for friends and glanced at the long line.
“They’re not going to be done by 4 o’clock,” Pelton said. “That’s a blessing for them.”
As the line continued on past 4 p.m., though, McPherson conducted her Q&A session while Leonard handled the sales.
“I love her color palette. Everything about her style appeals to me,” said Jayson Shenk of Diamond, who snagged the last copy of a poster he’d been eyeballing. “I’m really glad she’s in Akron because we don’t really get this stuff … It’s nice to see people in this museum.”
McPherson is an illustrator and artist based in New York City, where she runs her art company with Leonard.
Her stylized work often consists of portraits of women that reference nature, science and mythology and rely heavily on a pink and teal color palette.
Nationally known, McPherson has been featured in the New York Times, Hi-Fructose magazine and the movie Juno. She’s also designed numerous posters for rock bands, including Beck and Death Cab for Cutie.
“Her work is so soulful, which I love,” said Suzann Lively of Stow.
McPherson’s painting, Wandering Illuminations, is featured in the museum’s current exhibit, Turn the Page: The First Ten Years of Hi-Fructose, which highlights 51 artists who have been featured in the art magazine. It will be at the museum until May 7.
“I think the artists in this exhibition are incredibly well-known nationally,” said Elizabeth Carney, the assistant curator of the show. “To be able to participate in their work as a viewer and in person is very special.”
Wandering Illuminations features raindrops falling on an avatar-like blue woman with piercing pink eyes and matching hair.
“I like that play of evil and good, sweet and creepy,” McPherson said. “It has a nice resonance with me.”
McPherson gained an interest in astronomy in college, and its influence has since crept into her portraits, which portray women in supernatural environments.
“To be able to capture that idealized moment in time of a person, it’s really fascinating to me, and the gaze is so powerful,” McPherson said. “I’ve always been a feminist, and pro-women, and wanting just to make badass chicks. I think it’s important, you know?”
Theresa Cottom can be reached at 330-996-3216 or tcottom@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @Theresa_Cottom .