The Cotton Candy Machine

The Cotton Candy Machine The Cotton Candy Machine is a fine art archival print publisher for select contemporary artists, founded by Tara McPherson and Sean Leonard in 2011.
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We began as a storefront gallery and art boutique from 2011 to 2016 in a former fire department in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn NY, where The Cotton Candy Machine held a variety of art exhibitions, workshops and events by a plethora of contemporary artists, all curated by Tara McPherson. It then transitioned into a thriving online store and print publisher in 2017, and Tara McPherson'

s official print shop. Publishing archival fine art editions, and selling limited edition archival art prints, posters, apparel, books, toys and more. All the while holding onto its roots and continuing to do pop up shops and events all over the world. Some of the artists we have worked with include Alex Pardee, Buff Monster, Daniel Danger, Miss Van, Esao Andrews, Junko Mizuno, Dave Cooper, Aya Kakeda, Skinner, John Baizley, Arik Roper, L'Amour Supreme, Lindsey Way, Dime Drjuchin, Diana Sudyka, Travis Louie, Jermaine Rogers, Paul Romano, Jessica Addams, David M Cook, Scott C, Lori Nelson, Mike Egan, Michael Koehler, Jeremy Hush, Jon Burgerman, Jeremyville, Glenn Barr, Jay Ryan, and many more! Our name takes its inspiration from the main element in paper and apparel, cotton. Next mix it in with artistic creativity for some captivating eye candy. Then finally the play on words comes together just like the sweet namesake's magic making machine, and we have... The Cotton Candy Machine!

We are also incredibly excited that our very own Sean Leonard has been invited to host the official Art Panels at Collec...
04/22/2026

We are also incredibly excited that our very own Sean Leonard has been invited to host the official Art Panels at Collected Con!

Sean will be leading deep dive conversations with some of the industry’s most influential artists and creators. If you’ve ever wanted a “behind the curtain” look at the process of toy design, the evolution of pop surrealism, or the business of independent art, these panels are can’t miss sessions.

Panel Schedule 🥳
We are so excited to have Artist Panels this year for CollectedCon LA ☀️ April 25th & 26th
We know all the artists will be in great hands with Sean of as our Host!
✔️
Saturday:
Gallery Work





Character Design




Resin & 3D Printing
lostlings



Sunday:
Sofubi




Toy Production






Sticker Movie




Get ready, Los Angeles! 🐰👩🏻‍🎤Tara McPherson and The Cotton Candy Machine are heading West for this epic designer toy wee...
04/21/2026

Get ready, Los Angeles! 🐰👩🏻‍🎤

Tara McPherson and The Cotton Candy Machine are heading West for this epic designer toy weekend. We are thrilled to be part of the inaugural Collected Con LA, and we’re bringing a curated selection of art, exclusives, and cosmic vibes with us.

Whether you’re a longtime collector or new to the world of designer toys, come say hi, grab some new art, and help us celebrate the new home of Collected Con in the heart of California!

The “Bunny Rider” Resin Figure Release

The wait is officially over. We are proud to announce the exclusive release of the brand new Bunny Rider resin art figure!

Produced in collaboration with Strangecat Toys, this piece brings Tara’s signature Bunny Rider to life in stunning 3D. Featuring a cosmic explorer riding her giant space bunny through the stars. This figure is a masterclass in transforming an iconic painting into a collectible figure.

Release Date: April 25, 2026
Edition Size: Limited to 50 pieces (Blue Edition)
Retail Price: $275
Signed: in person at Collected Con LA
Dimensions: 8.25” tall x 5.75” wide

These aren’t just sketches; they were the final, essential step before Tara began her painting process. Each piece captu...
03/27/2026

These aren’t just sketches; they were the final, essential step before Tara began her painting process. Each piece captures the emotion and precision that defined her most impactful solo exhibitions.

THE DEATH OF BOTO DRAWING

Graphite on Bristol
Image: 13 x 9.5 inches
Framed: 20 x 17 inches
Signed, lower right: “McPherson”
Message us for availability

Hailing from the Amazon River basin, the legend of the Boto Cor-de-Rosa tells of a magical pink river dolphin with the power to shapeshift into an irresistible, handsome man. Under the glow of a full moon or during festive celebrations, he emerges from the water to charm and dance with the local villagers, always wearing a large hat to conceal the blowhole still visible on the top of his head. As the first light of dawn breaks, the enchantment fades, and he is forced to retreat to the river’s depths, shifting back into his aquatic form and vanishing once more into the murky currents.

In Tara McPherson’s The Death of Boto she explores the melancholy side of this myth. Her interpretation often touches on the intersection of ancient folklore and the modern world, using the Boto to represent the fleeting nature of attraction and the mysterious, sometimes tragic, connection between humans and the natural world.

It’s Bunny Season! Well… it’s always bunny season around here! The sun is staying out longer, Easter is creeping up on t...
03/26/2026

It’s Bunny Season! Well… it’s always bunny season around here! The sun is staying out longer, Easter is creeping up on the calendar, and we have the perfect piece to match the energy of the season. Introducing a new limited edition print of ‘Bunny Girl’ by Tara McPherson. Originally a standout oil painting from her legendary Bunny In The Moon exhibition, this print is a joyful celebration of a girl and her bunnies. It’s an image that captures pure playful affection and reminds us to find our joy and hold it tight.

THE WATER NEBULA DRAWING by Tara McPhersonThere is a unique magic found in the final graphite lines before they are tran...
03/24/2026

THE WATER NEBULA DRAWING by Tara McPherson

There is a unique magic found in the final graphite lines before they are translated into oils. Today, we are thrilled to offer a very small, curated selection of original drawings that served as the definitive blueprints for some of Tara McPherson’s most recognizable paintings.

Graphite on Bristol
Image: 10 x 12 inches
Framed: 22 x 25 inches

In this mesmerizing study, Tara explores the intersection of myth and the deep sea. The drawing features a serene female protagonist emerging from bioluminescent waters, flanked by two Umi Bōzu mysterious sea creatures from Japanese folklore known for appearing in calm waters before a storm. The composition captures a moment of supernatural connection, where the boundary between the figure and the glowing, starlit tide begins to dissolve.

Email for price and availability. Thanks for the love.

ً

Twenty two years ago, Mastodon released Leviathan, a masterpiece of heavy metal. To celebrate this milestone, on the 202...
03/04/2026

Twenty two years ago, Mastodon released Leviathan, a masterpiece of heavy metal. To celebrate this milestone, on the 2024 Ashes of Leviathan tour, the band asked Tara McPherson to reimagine the envy-driven sea beasts of that world for their tour poster.

The result is a sprawling, 7 color cinematic vision brought to life by Lady Lazarus Press. By utilizing a diptych format, Tara was able to create a massive, immersive landscape of oceanic chaos and beauty.

Today, we are incredibly proud to offer the Glow-In-The-Dark Artist Proofs. These feature the unique green color way and specialized Glow-In-The-Dark & Metallic layers, and are available exclusively as a matching diptych set. With only 8 sets in existence, this is the rarest way to own this art.

7 Color Silkscreen
Glow-In-The-Dark And Metallic Inks
Neenah Classic Crest Cream
18” x 24” Diptych Set of 2
Artist Edition AP of 8
Signed and Numbered by Tara McPherson

Tara was asked by Mastodon to reimagine envy driven sea beasts for their tour poster celebrating the 20th anniversary of...
02/28/2026

Tara was asked by Mastodon to reimagine envy driven sea beasts for their tour poster celebrating the 20th anniversary of their album Leviathan. Lady Lazarus Press had the concept to do a diptych print set, which gave Tara a wonderful format to create this stunning poster set.

MASTODON 2024 : SEA BEAST
7 Color Silkscreen
Neenah Classic Crest Cream
18” x 24”
Artist Edition of 75
Signed and Numbered by Tara McPherson
Only 3 left!

The original sketch for ’s painting Ghosts Of LoveColored Pencil SketchAcid Free Paper2.5” x 3.5” SignedTara McPherson ...
02/28/2026

The original sketch for ’s painting Ghosts Of Love

Colored Pencil Sketch
Acid Free Paper
2.5” x 3.5”
Signed
Tara McPherson

Address

692 Washington Road
Pittsburgh, PA
15228

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