…….And we have a teaser! Holy moly, I am so excited. This movie was basically my entire 2022, and it’s premiering in theaters on May 24th, 2024 and on Netflix on June 7th, 2024! I was makeup department head, and I also makeup and wig designed all of the characters for Glen’s disguise looks (and Ally Vickers, the hair department head, improved upon the designs once she took over). I got to work with a ton of artisans that were all bosses in their fields, and it shows. I can’t wait until everyone can see this film. I’ll be posting more BTS and renderings of my designs after it releases.

In the mean time, enjoy the trailer! Go, Team Hit Man!

I was Department Head Makeup and the Character Makeup and Wig Designer for Hit Man.......and this is just a marketing poster we did for it for its release.

Hit Man is the feature film that I worked on last Fall in New Orleans! It’s heading to the Venice Film Festival (and TIFF….and NYFF…..and Sundance…..and….) It’s directed by the one and only Richard Linklater. I was Department Head Makeup, but I did design some very specific makeup and wig looks (kind of througout most of 2022) for our lead Glen Powell for his undercover hit man disguises. I’ll be posting the trailer and some bts of my character design process as soon as it comes out……and my pictures from the red carpet in Venice once I walk it. Bam! ;)

This has the makings to be my very favorite project that I've ever worked on.......but we won't be seeing it until the 2040s! I'm Makeup Department Head and Co-Department Head Hair for Richard Linklater's movie version of Sondheim's musical Merrily We Roll Along. Eek! So exciting! We've done the first two segments for it, and we're working on the next one in the upcoming months. Some of our cast is a secret, but it stars Ben Platt (Charley), Beanie Feldstein (Mary), and Paul Mescal (Frank) to name a few. I'll update this each time we have new info released about it.

I was on this C-Spire commercial as Walton Goggin’s personal groomer and makeup artist. Director: Joseph Kahn.

Key Hair and Makeup for Austin unit - Tara Cooper; Director: Macon Blair

I was Department Head Hair and Makeup for this Richard Linklater animation! We shot this fully in front of a green screen, then sent it over to Minnow Mountain to rotoscope over it. Hundreds of my wigs are in this! It’s fantastic, and going to be Netflix starting April 1st.

Hair and Makeup for Annie Farmer: Tara Cooper; Production Company - RadicalMedia

Additional makeup: Tara Cooper. Side note: this was one of my favorite jobs that I’ve ever had, and oh, so many background. Eek! I love my job!

Dept. Head Hair and Makeup: Tara Cooper.

Dept. Head Hair and Makeup: Tara Cooper.

Key Makeup for the Austin unit: Tara Cooper. A Teacher premieres on November 10th on FX on Hulu.

Hair, makeup, and grooming by Tara Cooper. Directed by Amos David McKay. Produced by Two Headed Boy.

Key Hair and Makeup: Tara Cooper.

Key Hair and Makeup: Tara Cooper. We shot it on Willie Nelson’s ranch, and it was just super fun to do a music video again.

A beautiful screenshot of some hair and makeup work that Tara did for Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real’s cosmic western music video.

Dept. Head Makeup for seasons 1&2: Tara Cooper.

Here's the trailer for Rooster Teeth's Crunch Time mini-series, which I was Department Head Makeup on. Enjoy!

I did the hair and makeup, built the facial hair pieces, co-produced, starred, and helped to cast this spec piece that we did about sexual equality.   

I was Dept. Head Makeup and helped with hair on this production.

Wig and makeup on the Cheesehead stand-in by Tara Cooper for the Jake with State Farm Super bowl Commercial.

Key Wig, Hair, and Makeup: Tara Cooper, HMU Assistant: Chloe Cox - I had to build a wig for this that could have giant chunks come out of it (and be easily reset for takes). Turned out pretty cool.

Key Hair, Wigs, and Makeup: Tara Cooper, HMU Assistant: Chloe Cox

Key Hair, Makeup, and Wig work: Tara Cooper, HMU Assist: Chloe Cox

I was on this C-Spire commercial as Walton Goggin’s personal groomer and makeup artist. Director: Joseph Kahn.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper for Alienware, directed by the one and only Kristian Mercado Figueroa.

A Toyota Highlander 2022 commercial, directed by Paul Gay. Makeup, facial hair, and wigs styled and applied by Tara Cooper.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper, directed by Kristian Mercado Figueroa.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper, Nicole Schultz, and Ethan Johnson. I also did a lot of the prep of the hair, makeup, and nail conceptualization for this shoot. Directed by Adam Voorhes. Production design by Robin Finlay.

Makeup and grooming by Tara Cooper.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. This is a spot for Liquid Death canned water that’s a spoof on the old corny Olive Garden commercials from the 1990s.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper, directed by Kristian Mercado Figueroa.

Hair, Makeup, and Tattoo work by Tara Cooper, directed by Kristian Mercado Figueroa.

Key Hair/Wigs and Makeup - Tara Cooper. I also made and styled the rad mullet wig for this shoot……..I was terrified that I wasn’t going to get it done in time, but it turned out to be one of the best spots that I’ve ever done. My assistant was Chloe Cox.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper.

I was key hair and makeup on this ASICS campaign, assisted by Chloe Cox.

I was key hair and makeup on this ASICS campaign, assisted by Chloe Cox.

Here's a great little spot that I did hair and makeup on for Mountain Dew with the Austin Facial Hair Club members. One of the best jobs that I've ever had - it was just a blast! 

Key Hair and Makeup: Tara Cooper. One of my favorite spots of all time - we actually raced a VW Golf through a super Target for this one!

Grooming on Charley by Tara Cooper for Texas Monthly May 2023 cover story. Photographer: Jai Lennard.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper for Texas Monthly June 2022 cover story. Photographer: Zachary Scott Studios.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. Photography by Curtet Photography & Motion. One of my favorite shoots ever. 

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. Directed by Kristian Mercado Figueroa.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. Directed by Kristian Mercado Figueroa.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper for Texas Monthly March 2023 online story. Photographer: Jackie Lee Young.

Hair, makeup, and grooming by Tara Cooper.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper and Nicole Schultz. Photographer: Dave Creaney.

I helped to conceptualize the hair, makeup, and nails for this shoot. Hair and Makeup by Nicole Schultz and Ethan Johnson. Photographer: Dave Creaney.

Hair and Makeup: Tara Cooper. Photo credit: Lacy Land.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. I really loved this shoot.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper.

Hair, makeup, and grooming by Tara Cooper.

Hair, makeup, and grooming by Tara Cooper.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. Directed by Kristian Mercado Figueroa.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. Photographer: Laura Morsman.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. Photographer: Laura Morsman.

Hair, makeup, and grooming by Tara Cooper. Photo credit: Sandy Kim.

Hair, makeup, and grooming by Tara Cooper. Photo credit: Sandy Kim.

Hair and Makeup: Tara Cooper. Photo credit: OPhoto Studio/Duane Osborn

Hair, makeup, and grooming: Tara Cooper. Photographer: Dave Creaney.

Hair and Makeup by: Tara Cooper. Photo Credit: Karin Dreyer.

Hair and Makeup: Tara Cooper. Photography: Kana Livolsi. Creative: Dos Mundos Creative. Model: Amanda Russell

Makeup, hair, and wig styled by Tara Cooper. Photo credit Sarah Wilson.

Hair and makeup by Tara Cooper. Photography by James Baigrie.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. Photography by Curtet Photography & Motion. 

Hair, makeup, and wardrobe styling by Tara Cooper. Photo credit Karin Dreyer.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. Photography by Lacey Land. 

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. Photography by Curtet Photography and Motion.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. Photography by Curtet Photography and Motion.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper.

Hair and Makeup by: Tara Cooper. Photo Credit: Craig Washburn.

Hair and Makeup by: Tara Cooper. Photo Credit: Craig Washburn.

Hair, makeup, and wardrobe styling by Tara Cooper. Photographer Adran Matte. 

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper.

Makeup by Tara Cooper. Hair by Alissa Shores. Model Ashley Hargrove.

Hair and Makeup by: Tara Cooper. Photo Credit: Craig Washburn.

Hair and Makeup by: Tara Cooper. Photo Credit: Bard Wrisley.

Hair, makeup, and wardrobe styling by Tara Cooper. Photographer Adran Matte. 

Hair, makeup, and wardrobe styling by Tara Cooper. Photo credit Karin Dreyer. 

Hair and makeup by Tara Cooper. Photographer Adran Matte. 

Hair and makeup by Tara Cooper. Photo credit Karin Dreyer. 

Hair and Makeup by: Tara Cooper. Photo Credit: Craig Washburn.

Hair, makeup, and wardrobe styling by Tara Cooper. Photographer Adran Matte. 

Makeup and Hair by: Tara Cooper. Photo Credit: Karin Dreyer.

Prop painting by Tara Cooper. Photography by Adam Voorhes Photography. 

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. Photography by Curtet Photography & Motion. 

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. Photo credit Craig Washburn. 

Hair, Makeup, Prop, and Wardrobe Styling for Dell by: Tara Cooper. Photo Credit: Adran Matte.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. Photo credit Steven Noryeko. 

Hair and makeup by Tara Cooper. Photo credit Karin Dreyer. 

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. Photo credit Craig Washburn. 

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. Photography by Lacey Land. 

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. Photography by Curtet Photography & Motion. 

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper.

Hair, makeup, and grooming by Tara Cooper.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. Directed by Kristian Mercado Figueroa.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. Photo Credit: Craig Washburn.

Makeup, wig, and mask design by Tara Cooper. Photo by David Truong.

Makeup, wig, and mask design by Tara Cooper. Photo by David Truong.

Makeup, wig, and mask design by Tara Cooper. Photo by David Truong.

Makeup, wig, and mask design by Tara Cooper. Photo by Tara Cooper.

Makeup, Hair, and Wig Designer/Builder, Under Construction for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre.

Makeup and Wig Designer/Builder, Peer Gynt for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre.

Makeup, Hair, and Wig Designer/Builder, Under Construction for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre.

Makeup, Hair, and Wig Designer/Builder, Under Construction for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre.

Tara Cooper was only Prosthetic Makeup Designer/Character Makeup Designer for Cyrano for this production of Cyrano for Austin Shakespeare.

Makeup, Hair, and Wig Designer/Builder, The Crucible for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre.

Tara Cooper was only Makeup Designer for Mr. Eugene Lee for the the production of Dividing the Estate for Zachary Scott Theater. 

Makeup and Wig Designer for The Book of Grace, directed by Suzan-Lori Parks for the Zach Scott Theatre.

Makeup and Wig Designer/Builder for Death and the King's Horseman for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre.

Makeup and Wig Designer/Builder for Death and the King's Horseman for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre.

Makeup, Hair, and Wig Designer/Builder for Carousel for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre.

Makeup, Hair, and Wig Designer/Builder for Carousel for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre. 

Tara Cooper was only responsible for the makeup application in this image. Wigs by Willa K. 

Makeup and Wig Designer/Builder for Death and the King's Horseman for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre.

Makeup Designer for Hylas and the Nymphs for the University of Texas at Austin.

Tara Cooper was only Makeup Designer for this production of The Way of the World at MMNT. Wig Designer was Allison Lowery.

Makeup and Wig Designer for The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre. 

Makeup and Wig Designer for The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre. 

Makeup and Wig Designer for The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre. 

Makeup and Wig Designer for The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre. 

Makeup and Wig Designer for The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre. 

Makeup, Hair, and Wig Designer/Builder for The Secret Garden for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre. 

Makeup, Hair, and Wig Designer/Builder for The Secret Garden for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre. 

Makeup, Hair, and Wig Designer/Builder for The Secret Garden for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre. 

Makeup and Wig Designer for The Secret Garden for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre. 

Makeup, Hair, and Wig Designer/Builder for The Importance of Being Earnest for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre. 

Makeup, Hair, and Wig Designer/Builder for The Importance of Being Earnest for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre. 

Makeup, Hair, and Wig Designer/Builder for The Importance of Being Earnest for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre. 

Makeup, Hair, and Wig Designer for Under Construction for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre.

Makeup, Hair, and Wig Designer for Museum for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre.

Makeup, Hair, and Wig Designer/Builder for Museum for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre. 

Makeup, Hair, and Wig Designer/Builder for Museum for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre. 

Makeup, Hair, and Wig Designer/Builder for City of Angels for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre. 

Makeup, Hair, and Wig Designer/Builder, Merrily We Roll Along for the Mary Moody Northen Theatre.

Makeup, wig, and mask design by Tara Cooper. Photo by David Truong.

Hair and Makeup on Christy Carlson Romano by Tara Cooper, Photographer: Jackie Lee Young.

Makeup and Hair by Tara Cooper. Photography by Joeli Middlebrooks for Kara Marie Collective.

Hair and makeup by Tara Cooper. Photo credit: Fabrizio Foto.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. Photographer: Kevin Gourley Photographer.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. Photography by Lacey Land.

Makeup by: Tara Cooper; Photo Credit: Fabrizio Foto

Hair and Makeup by: Tara Cooper, Photo Credit: Elizabeth Wiseman

Hair and Makeup by: Tara Cooper; Photo Credit: Steven Noryeko

Makeup: Tara Cooper; Photo credit: David Long

Hair and Makeup: Tara Cooper. Photography: Curtet Photography and Motion.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper for a Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real cosmic western music video.

Makeup and Wig: Tara Cooper; Photo Credit: Karin Dreyer

Hair and Makeup by: Tara Cooper, Photo Credit: Elizabeth Wiseman

Hair and Makeup by: Tara Cooper; Photo Credit: Steven Noryeko

Makeup by Tara Cooper. Hair by Alissa Shores. Model and Influencer Ashley Hargrove.

Hair and Makeup by: Tara Cooper; Photo Credit: Fabrizio Foto

Makeup by Tara Cooper. Photo Credit: David M. Long

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper, Photo credit: Lacey Land

Hair and makeup by Tara Cooper. Photo credit: Steven Noryeko.

Hair and Makeup by: Tara Cooper; Photo Credit: Fabrizio Foto

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. Photo by Bob Brandt Photography.

Makeup by: Tara Cooper; Photo Credit: Steven Noryeko

Hair and Makeup by: Tara Cooper; Photo Credit: Harley K. Photography

Hair and Makeup by: Tara Cooper; Photo Credit: Craig Washburn

Hair and Makeup by: Tara Cooper, Photo Credit: Elizabeth Wiseman

Hair and Makeup by: Tara Cooper; Photo Credit: Kevin Gourley

Hair and Makeup by: Tara Cooper; Photo Credit: Steven Noryeko

Hair and Makeup by: Tara Cooper, Photo Credit: Elizabeth Wiseman

Hair and makeup by Tara Cooper. Photo credit: Fabrizio Foto.

Hair and Makeup by: Tara Cooper; Photo Credit: Steven Noryeko

Hair and Makeup by: Tara Cooper; Photo Credit: Fabrizio Foto

Makeup by: Tara Cooper; Photo Credit: Kevin Gourley

Hair and Makeup by: Tara Cooper; Photo Credit: Fabrizio Foto

Makeup by: Tara Cooper; Photo Credit: Raychel Deppe

Hair and Makeup by: Tara Cooper; Photo Credit: James Allen

Hair and Makeup by: Tara Cooper; Photo Credit: Craig Washburn

Hair and Makeup by: Tara Cooper, Photo Credit: Elizabeth Wiseman

Makeup by: Tara Cooper; Photo Credit: Steven Noryeko

Makeup by Tara Cooper. Hair by Alissa Shores.

Hair and Makeup by: Tara Cooper; Photo Credit: Steven Noryeko

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. Photo credit: Kana LiVolsi/Dos Mundos Creative. Model: Amanda Russell.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper, Photo credit: Lacey Land

Makeup by Tara Cooper. Photo Credit: David M. Long

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. Photo by Bob Brandt Photography.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper, assisted by Tierney Kersey.

Hair and makeup by Tara Cooper. Photo credit: Steven Noryeko.

Hair and makeup by Tara Cooper. Photo credit: Steven Noryeko.

Makeup, hair, and grooming by Tara Cooper for a Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real cosmic western music video.

My gross ringworm wig! This a shake n’ go wig that I essentially cut a hole into, tacked some lace in, sculpted 3rd Degree to create the ringworm section, then ventilated and punched hair in and around the wound area to make it look extra gross. It was used on Apollo 10 1/2.

These are some limbs that I painted realistically for a Pacific Standard Magazine cover and editorial piece shoot. 

This is some makeup (sweat, dirt, and scrapes) that I did for June 2016 edition of GQ magazine for a story by Chuck Klosterman. Photographer: Adam Voorhes. 

Sculpt and painting by: Tara Cooper; Casts and molds: Toxic Elephant Studios

A heart surgery scar that I created for a Driscoll Health Systems commercial.

Sculpt and painting by: Tara Cooper; Casts and molds: Toxic Elephant Studios

Makeup by: Tara Cooper and Jessica Isam.

Wig constructed and styled by Tara Cooper.

Wig constructed and styled by Tara Cooper.

Wig partially ventilated and styled by Tara Cooper.

A wig Tara Cooper styled OVER a full set of crocheted faux locs for Apollo 10 1/2! This day was a big win.

Wig styled by Tara Cooper.

Wig ventilated and styled by Tara Cooper.

A crazy wig that I built for a production at UT. It started out as a just a plain 18” solid lavender wig. A lot of work went into this one.

Before and after shots of the star of the Honeycomb commercial I did entitled “Be Big”. This is a hand-ventilated mullet that I made.

A close-up shot of the wig that I made that was featured in the Honeycomb “Be Big” commercial.

Some of the amazing wigs and hair pieces that Tara Cooper and her hair crew styled for Apollo 10 1/2.

The fairy wigs that Tara Cooper designed, constructed, partially ventilated, altered, styled, and lit up for A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Each wig has full sets of light within them, and are built on hand constructed cages.

A beautiful nature hair, full lace wig that I ventilated. Look at that color!

Wig styled by Tara Cooper for Apollo 10 1/2.

My Dark Crystal/Jen wig that I made for Halloween.

My Dark Crystal/Kira wig that I made for Halloween.

My gross ringworm wig! This a shake n’ go wig that I essentially cut a hole into, tacked some lace in, sculpted 3rd Degree to create the ringworm section, then ventilated and punched hair in and around the wound area to make it look extra gross. It was used on Apollo 10 1/2.

Wig styled by Tara Cooper for Apollo 10 1/2.

A beautiful little underwater wig that I ventilated and styled for a UT production.

My historical wigs that I styled for “Citizens at Last” for PBS. It’s a rad documentary directed by Nancy Schiesari about the history of women’s suffrage.

Lee Eddy’s wig that Tara Cooper styled for Apollo 10 1/2.

A wig that I designed and styled for MMNT’s production of “A Flea in Her Ear”.

Wig styled by Tara Cooper for Apollo 10 1/2.

My favorite Halloween makeup of all time! Glenda the Good Witch and The Wicked Witch combo - hair and makeup designed and applied by Tara Cooper.

One of my favorite clients. This Mad Cow Disease hair and makeup designed and applied by Tara Cooper for a Pandemic party in 2019, just a few months before the real pandemic hit us. Crazy!

Sugar Skull makeup for a Hallo-wedding! Makeup designed and applied by Tara Cooper.

Meow Wolf-inspired hair and makeup that I did for a Rooster Teeth show called “The Weird Place”.

1950s inspired hair and makeup by Tara Cooper.

1960s hair and makeup designed and applied by Tara Cooper.

Headdress and makeup designed and applied by Tara Cooper.

Grinch makeup. I designed and made the wig and brows, and applied the makeup.

Hair and makeup designed and applied by Tara Cooper.

Hair, makeup, and wig design and application by Tara Cooper for a Rackspace commercial.

Gremlin wig and makeup designed and applied by Tara Cooper.

Gremlin wigs and makeup designed and applied by Tara Cooper.

Wigs and makeup designed and applied by Tara Cooper.

Jen wig and makeup designed, created, and applied by Tara Cooper.

Kira wig and makeup designed, created, and applied by Tara Cooper.

Sugar skull makeup and wig designed and applied by Tara Cooper.

Sugar Skull wig and makeup designed and applied by Tara Cooper.

Picasso inspired body painting that I painted for the Red, Hot, and Soul gala for Zachary Scott Theater.

Hair and makeup by Tara Cooper.

Hair and makeup by Tara Cooper.

The teeth were created and waterproof makeup applied by Tara Cooper.

Hair and makeup by Tara Cooper for a body building championship.

The Grinch for the Georgetown Christmas Stroll. Wig and brows made by Tara Cooper. Makeup design and application by Tara Cooper.

Before and after shots of the female-to-male makeup application that I did for the 11th edition of the Stage Makeup textbook. Hair and makeup by Tara Cooper.

Hair and makeup for a pole dancing championship! Hair and makeup by Tara Cooper.

Sugar skull hair and makeup for an Instagram influencer. Hair and makeup by Tara Cooper.

Hand-painted epic zombie fingernails that I made!

Some zombie hands that I painted for a Halloween Bacardi commercial.

An epic tattoo cover that I did for a film.

Drag makeup and wigs designed and applied by Tara Cooper.

Morticia Addams wig and makeup that I did for Halloween.

Bride of Frankenstein wig and makeup design and application by Tara Cooper.

“Terrifying Clown” makeup design and application by Tara Cooper for the mini series Crunch Time. Wig by the fabulous Beth Lloyd.

The only bad picture that I got from a cool Einstein impersonator wig and makeup that I did. Wigs and makeup by Tara Cooper.

Medusa. Wig and makeup by Tara Cooper.

These are the masks, (L to R) Itchy, Mr. Burns, and Scratchy, that I designed for Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play. 

My team and I sculpted, they papier mached, and we painted these together - I painted Scratchy alone and helped on all of the other masks. Mr. Burns was partially sculpted, papier mached, and partially painted by Souther Berry Recio. Scratchy was papier mached, fit, and painted by Colleen McCool. 

These are the masks, (clockwise, L to R) Marge, Homer, Lisa, Flanders, and Bart, that I designed for Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play. 

My team and I sculpted, with extreme help from Jennifer Rose Flowers and Anna Kimmel, they papier mached, and we painted these together - I painted Lisa and Homer alone and helped the painting along on all of the other masks. T'Cie Mancuso masterminded the Marge's hair puffs. 

These are the masks, (clockwise, L to R) Willie the Groundskeeper, Nelson, Apu, Mrs. Krabappel, Chief Wiggum, Troy McClure, and center, Selma, that I designed for Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play. 

My team and I sculpted, with extreme help from Jennifer Rose Flowers and Anna Kimmel, they papier mached, and we painted these together - I painted Apu alone, and Sidney Clayton Floyd totally killed it on Willie - painting, papier macheing, and painting-wise - and I helped the painting along on all of the other masks. T'Cie Mancuso masterminded the Selma's hair puffs. 

These are some prop limbs that I painted realistically for a Pacific Standard Magazine cover and editorial piece shoot. 

The mask that I designed and painted for Rooster Teeth's tv mini-series, Day 5, for the character Mr. Death. The bottom image is a still shot from the episode. 

These are the "DNA" masks that I designed for a production of Love & Information. I designed, painted, bedazzled, and fit them. 

Designed and masterminded this head piece/wig for Death and the King's Horseman for MMNT. It's built from a bowler cap, a cheap weave, some heavy gage wire, hemp, wax, beads, and rattan. 

Designed and beaded this head piece for Death and the King's Horseman for MMNT. Sewn by Michelle Heath. 

Mentored the design and painted this latex wig for Eurydice. Design by Sarah Garcia.

Painted these mascot heads for the production of Full Circle for MMNT. Paper mached by Tanya Olalde.

This is the Tracy monster prop that I built for the short film Tracy. It's built from sculpey, a doggy pooper scooper, papier mache, rocks, a fancy wig, and lots of glue.

Painted these mock arms for the short film Tracy. Built and designed by Toxic Elephant Studios. 

I made a coloring book with my drawings, and it’s called Curious Sightings of Peculiar Beings. Email me at taracoopermakeupartist@gmail.com if you want your own copy!

A detail shot of some of the drawings and the inside cover featured in my coloring book, Curious Sightings of Peculiar Beings.

A detail shot of some of the drawings featured in my coloring book, Curious Sightings of Peculiar Beings.

A detail shot of some of the drawings featured in my coloring book, Curious Sightings of Peculiar Beings.

These little guys are named Harold & Harriet. They were seen in Palindrome Theater's The Attic Space and are made of wood, leather, wire, and various fabrics. They are operated through knobs and loops located on their backsides. Their clothing was sewn by the one and only Jamie Urban. 

Photo by Richard Casteel. http://www.capturingmilliseconds.com

These little guys are named Harold & Harriet. They were seen in Palindrome Theater's The Attic Space and are made of wood, leather, wire, and various fabrics. They are operated through knobs and loops located on their backsides. Their clothing was sewn by the one and only Jamie Urban.

Photo by Richard Casteel. http://www.capturingmilliseconds.com

This is Pheobe Bird. I carved her out of 5 separate pieces of basswood, and a piece of exotic ebony for the neck. Her head pivots, and she is blacklight responsive!!! I wanted to try these new awesome inks to pop some of the colors on her, and I'm pretty ecstatic with how wild she turned out. 

~ SOLD

This is Pheobe Bird. I carved her out of 5 separate pieces of basswood, and a piece of exotic ebony for the neck. Her head pivots, and she is blacklight responsive!!! I wanted to try these new awesome inks to pop some of the colors on her, and I'm pretty ecstatic with how wild she turned out. This is the image of her under the blacklight - in person, she actually glows much more brightly. 

~ SOLD

This is Pheobe Bird. I carved her out of 5 separate pieces of basswood, and a piece of exotic ebony for the neck. Her head pivots, and she is blacklight responsive!!! Here she is in process.

~ SOLD

Say hello to Crabby Wigwam. He's a Dark Crystal inspired creature puppet that I built for giggles. He's made of rubber latex, acrylic, wood, leather, moose fur, fun fur, sculpey, and papier mache. He's totally movable, and his face is squishy! 

Say hello to Crabby Wigwam. He's a Dark Crystal inspired creature puppet that I built for giggles. He's made of rubber latex, acrylic, wood, leather, moose fur, fun fur, sculpey, and papier mache. He's totally movable, and his face is squishy! 

Say hello to Crabby Wigwam. He's a Dark Crystal inspired creature puppet that I built for giggles. He's made of rubber latex, acrylic, wood, leather, moose fur, fun fur, sculpey, and papier mache. He's totally movable, and his face is squishy! 

Meet Smelly Melly Narwhal. He was my first commissioned wooden sculpture. He is made of wood - both basswood and ebony, and his scales are all carved singularly. 

Photo by Richard Casteel. http://www.capturingmilliseconds.com

~ SOLD

Meet Smelly Melly Narwhal. He was my first commissioned wooden sculpture. He is made of wood - both basswood and ebony, and his scales are all carved singularly. 

~ SOLD

Meet Smelly Melly Narwhal. He was my first commissioned wooden sculpture. He is made of wood - both basswood and ebony, and his scales are all carved singularly. 

~ SOLD

And here is Peanut! He is my favorite. He is made from wood (15 separate carved pieces fit together), plastic flowers, and upholstery leather. He is fully posable and built in a marionette style.

Photo by Richard Casteel. http://www.capturingmilliseconds.com

~ SOLD 

And here is Peanut! He is my favorite. He is made from wood (15 separate carved pieces fit together), plastic flowers, and upholstery leather. He is fully posable and built in a marionette style. 

Photo by Richard Casteel. http://www.capturingmilliseconds.com

~ SOLD 

And here is Peanut! He is my favorite. He is made from wood (15 separate carved pieces fit together), plastic flowers, and upholstery leather. He is fully posable and built in a marionette style. 

Photo by Richard Casteel. http://www.capturingmilliseconds.com

~ SOLD 

And here is Peanut! He is my favorite. He is made from wood (15 separate carved pieces fit together), plastic flowers, and upholstery leather. He is fully posable and built in a marionette style. 

Photo by Richard Casteel. http://www.capturingmilliseconds.com

~ SOLD 

And here is Peanut! He is my favorite. He is made from wood (15 separate carved pieces fit together), plastic flowers, and upholstery leather. He is fully posable and built in a marionette style.

Photo by Richard Casteel. http://www.capturingmilliseconds.com

~ SOLD 

This is Delilah, the Strong Woman. She was the very first marionette that I built, as well as the largest. she stands a little over a foot tall. She is made of wood and leather and fully manipulatable. She performed in the 2011 Prague Quadrennial Festival in a street production. 

Photo by Richard Casteel. http://www.capturingmilliseconds.com

~ SOLD

This is Delilah, the Strong Woman. She was the very first marionette that I built, as well as the largest. she stands a little over a foot tall. She is made of wood and leather and fully manipulatable. She performed in the 2011 Prague Quadrennial Festival in a street production. 

~ SOLD

This is Delilah, the Strong Woman. She was the very first marionette that I built, as well as the largest. she stands a little over a foot tall. She is made of wood and leather and fully manipulatable. She performed in the 2011 Prague Quadrennial Festival in a street production. 

~ SOLD

This is Delilah, the Strong Woman's technical rendering. She was the very first marionette that I built, as well as the largest. she stands a little over a foot tall. She is made of wood and leather and fully manipulatable. She performed in the 2011 Prague Quadrennial Festival in a street production. 

~NFS

Meet Turbo! This is the smallest wooden sculpture that I've carved. She is a pink Pomeranian based off of my sister's real-life Pomeranian, Turbo Barbie. She is made from a single piece of basswood, and pink felt roving was used to create the fur. 

~ SOLD

Meet Turbo! This is the smallest wooden sculpture that I've carved. She is a pink Pomeranian based off of my sister's real-life Pomeranian, Turbo Barbie. She is made from a single piece of basswood, and pink felt roving was used to create the fur. 

~ SOLD

Meet Turbo! This is the smallest wooden sculpture that I've carved. She is a pink Pomeranian based off of my sister's real-life Pomeranian, Turbo Barbie. She is made from a single piece of basswood, and pink felt roving was used to create the fur. Her tail is made from a piece of wire with the roving sewn on to mock the true Pomeranian curly-q tail. 

~ SOLD

Meet Turbo! This is the smallest wooden sculpture that I've carved. She is a pink Pomeranian based off of my sister's real-life Pomeranian, Turbo Barbie. She is made from a single piece of basswood, and pink felt roving was used to create the fur. Her tail is made from a piece of wire with the roving sewn on to mock the true Pomeranian curly-q tail. 

~ SOLD

Meet Turbo! This is the smallest wooden sculpture that I've carved. She is a pink Pomeranian based off of my sister's real-life Pomeranian, Turbo Barbie. She is made from a single piece of basswood, and pink felt roving was used to create the fur. Her tail is made from a piece of wire with the roving sewn on to mock the true Pomeranian curly-q tail. 

~ SOLD

This is a lovely process shot of Turbo, taken by photog Richard Casteel. As you can see, it is quite a process starting from wooden basswood block to finished Pomeranian. 

Photo by Richard Casteel. http://www.capturingmilliseconds.com

~ SOLD

Meet Frances! She's my newest addition. She's actually a stop-motion animation puppet, meaning that she's wired and fully posable and used for stop-motion animated films. She has foamed latex hands, a wire armature, carved wooden body pieces, and a fully carved head. She's painted with acrylic paint, and I actually helped to sew the costume pieces! I completed her in my Puppets in Prague Stop-Motion Animation workshop that I took in the Czech Republic this last Spring. 

Meet Frances! She's my newest addition. She's actually a stop-motion animation puppet, meaning that she's wired and fully posable and used for stop-motion animated films. She has foamed latex hands, a wire armature, carved wooden body pieces, and a fully carved head. She's painted with acrylic paint, and I actually helped to sew the costume pieces! I completed her in my Puppets in Prague Stop-Motion Animation workshop that I took in the Czech Republic this last Spring. 

A process shot of Frances, my wooden stop-motion animation puppet that I made at the Puppets in Prague Stop-Motion Animation workshop. Here, I'm trying to figure out if I needed to have a lace tiara sort of thing around her head, but ultimately, I opted to keep her head bare. 

Meet Jacques! He is a French acrobat made of wood and leather. He's built in a marionette style.

Photo by Richard Casteel. http://www.capturingmilliseconds.com

Meet Jacques! He is a French acrobat made of wood and leather. He's built in a marionette style.

Photo by Richard Casteel. http://www.capturingmilliseconds.com

Tara Cooper with her Advanced Makeup Design class showing off their final exam Makeup Design projects. 

My Wig Making students and I wearing their Mustache making projects!

A close-up of one of the Advanced Makeup Design class' final Design Projects beautifully executed by student, Austin Rausch. 

Fantasy Makeup Day!

A close-up of one of the Advanced Makeup Design class' final Design Projects beautifully executed by student, Liz Rische. Feathered wig and beak were also fabricated by Liz.

60s Makeup Day! Twiggy inspired. 

Old Age Makeup Day. Executed by student, Cheyenne Barton. 

Drag Makeup Day!

A close-up of one of the Advanced Makeup Design class' final Design Projects beautifully executed by student, Meredith Stein (She built this wig from scratch).

A close-up of one of the Advanced Makeup Design class' final Design Projects beautifully executed by student, Julia Trinidad. 

I call this Bearded Lady day in my Advanced Makeup Design course. It’s one of my favorite days.

Tara Cooper with her Advanced Makeup Design class showing off their final exam Makeup Design projects. 

Restoration Makeup Day! 

Animal Makeup Day! Executed by students Liz Rische and Austin Rausch.

A close-up of one of the Advanced Makeup Design class' final Design Projects beautifully executed by student, Monica Azcarate.

Animal makeup workshop for an after school middle school program. Makeup by Tara Cooper. 

Wax gash day. Makeup application by Danielle Richter. 

Beard ventilation. Beards ventilated and modeled by Tara Cooper and Sarah Garcia.

Restoration Makeup Day! 

Tara Cooper with her Advanced Makeup Design class showing off their final exam Makeup Design projects. 

One of the earlier informal classes that Tara Cooper taught for the University of Texas at Austin. It was cut, scrape, and gash day! 

50s Makeup Day! Makeup by Tara Cooper. 

80s Makeup Day! 

Group SPFX Makeup exercise day. Students worked together to adhere blood bladder systems up to an exit would that they jointly designed and executed. 

Group SPFX Makeup exercise day. Students worked together to adhere blood bladder systems up to an exit would that they jointly designed and executed. 

Maggot makeup day. Makeup executed by Lisa Raymond. 

A close-up of one of the Advanced Makeup Design class' final Design Projects beautifully executed by student, Brooke Marie Friesen. 

80s Makeup Day! Inspiration: Dolly Parton!

A picture from my final Advanced Makeup Design class at St. Edward’s University. I’m going to really miss teaching, but I’m probably going to miss these students even more.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. Photo Credit: The Lees Photography. 

Makeup by Tara Cooper. Photo Credit: Kelly Cameron.

Makeup by Tara Cooper

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper

Makeup (this is missing the lipstick) and hair-help by Tara Cooper. Photograph by Meleah Gross. 

Hair and Makeup: Tara Cooper. Photography: Emilie Anne Photography.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper. Photo credit: Fabrizio Photography.

Hair by Tara Cooper

Hair by Tara Cooper and her sidekick Jessica Isam

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper

Makeup by Tara Cooper

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper 

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper

Hair and Makeup for the Bride, Tara Cooper. Hair by Leola Perez and makeup by Tara Cooper for the Bridesmaid. Photo Credit: The Lees Photography. 

Makeup (this is missing the lipstick) and hair-help by Tara Cooper. Photograph by Meleah Gross. 

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper.

Hair and Makeup by Tara Cooper.

Hair and Makeup: Tara Cooper. Photography: Emilie Anne Photography.

Makeup by Tara Cooper.

Makeup by Tara Cooper.