![]() EEE Productions (Ed Hardy, Ed Nolte, and Ernie Carafa) put together an influential tattoo convention on the Queen Mary in 1982, as well as organizing many other tattoo conventions and expos. Hardy Marks has published more than 25 books about alternative art, including catalogs of Hardy's work and that of Sailor Jerry Collins. ![]() Under this marque, they began publishing the five-book series Tattootime. In 1982, Hardy and his wife Francesca Passalacqua formed Hardy Marks Publications. This fine art mentality helped elevate tattoos from a subculture to pop culture, taking it from fringe culture to main culture. For Hardy this was about customization and personalization, thus the wearer would have an emotional connection. This would be collaborative, done in consultation between tattoo artists and client. Hardy’s motivations were more aesthetically simple: to focus on one's self-expression, the resulting tattoos reflecting the individual's taste and preferences. Navy, to walk into studios/or the back of other businesses and select artwork off of a wall. Before this, it was very common for individuals, often those in the U.S. One of the defining characteristics of Hardy’s work is the elevation of tattoos from flash, preset and preformed tattoos, to customized and personalized work. Hardy soon became recognized for being the main influence and driver in incorporating Japanese tattoo aesthetics and techniques into American styles of work. According to Hardy, his clientele at the time included bikers and Yakuza members. Hardy studied and tattooed in Japan off and on through the '70s and '80s. Through Jerry’s connections, Hardy began an association, in 1973, with the classical tattoo master Horihide. He met with and began a long correspondence with Sailor Jerry, which paved the way for an introduction into a world previously closed off to outsiders. At a tattoo convention in 1980Įventually Hardy formed a relationship with one of the pioneers of modern tattoo culture, Sailor Jerry Collins, who had a major impact on Hardy's work. Hardy, who had already been interested in Japanese history, culture and woodblock prints, had an epiphany he described it as being struck by “lightning.” Īfter Hardy finished his apprenticeship with Steward, he studied with the tattoo artists Zeke Owen in Seattle and Doc Webb in San Diego. Steward showed Hardy a book of Japanese tattoos. As a child, Hardy had copied Steward's designs. Hardy was mentored by several famous and prolific tattoo artists, including Samuel Steward (also known by his nickname “Professor” Phil Sparrow), a former college professor. He declined and instead pursued his interest in tattoos. He was later offered a full scholarship and graduate position for a Master of Fine Arts program at Yale. While there, Hardy learned drawing from Joan Brown, etching from Gordon Cook, and sculpting from Manuel Neri. He attended the San Francisco Art Institute and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in printmaking. ![]() ![]() Hardy had his first art exhibit at the Laguna Beach Art Festival after graduating from high school. Hardy also credits his mother, who supported his work and encouraged him to follow his passions. As a preteen a young Ed Hardy was interested in tattoos: one of his friends' fathers had Army tattoos, and it intrigued him so much that he took pens and colored pencils to draw on other neighborhood kids. ![]() He grew up in Corona del Mar, in Newport Beach, California. Hardy was born on January 5, 1945, in Des Moines, Iowa. Don Ed Hardy (born 1945) is an American tattoo artist known for his tattoos, strong influence on the development of modern tattoo styles, and his eponymous apparel and accessories brand. ![]()
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