Welcome to Fantasy Artist Ed Beard JR's Biography Page

FANTASY ARTIST ED BEARD JR. HAS BEEN CREATING DRAGONS, MONSTERS, AND JUST ABOUT EVERY IMAGE OF A CREATURE YOU COULD IMAGINE, FOR OVER 25 YEARS.

 

As to what companies world wide think of Ed Beard Jr Fantasy Art on their products:

 

The fantasy Art of Ed Beard Jr has been licensed in well over 1000 products world wide over the past 30 years. Ed's works have adorned countless products and are available in just about every language and in most countries world wide. Ed's works are ranked consistently as Top Sellers in each manufacturer's catalogs for the past 9 years.

Ed's works in Fantasy Art have been created or licensed for such top manufacturers and Publishers as: Hasbro / Wizard's of the Coast, Dungeons and Dragon and over 100 published illustrations with the worlds most popular card game Magic The gathering a Hasbro game and Toy company product. Ed is best known for his works illustrating Dragons, Wizard's and fantasy art. Ed is also known for his works on Tolkien and Lord of the Rings properties.

Ed Beard Jr. is the most successfully licensed Dragon and Wizard fantasy artist with the most diverse selection of products using his art in the world. With over 1000 licensed images manufactured by over 100 companies world wide, Ed is a household name in fantasy.

Here is a list of just a few companies and types of products Ed Beard Jr's works can be currently found in main stream retail markets and licenses with in the US and world wide:

 

Verizon Mobile:

Licensed wallpaper and down load content, Fantasy Art Dragons and Wizards.

 

Orange UK Mobile Phone Co.

Licensed wallpaper and down load content, Fantasy Art Dragons and Wizards.

 

Tide Mark / Calendar manufacturer:

Ed Beard Jr's works can be found on the best selling annual Dragon Calendar from TideMark. Ed Beard Jr. has been the official Dragon calendar artist for 5 years now. The TideMark Dragon calendar the best selling calendar in that category and price structure. You can find the calendar everywhere from Barnes & Noble, Borders, Books A Million and just about all retail book store including online stores such as Amazon.com just by doing a Google search on "Dragon calendar Ed Beard Jr."This calendar is also sold heavily in Europe as well.

 

The Mountain Corporation/ worlds largest and distributed T-shirt manufacture of wildlife and Fantasy T-Shirts, As listed in their catalog Ed's designs have been the best selling Dragon and Wizard designs consistently for the past 9 years.

 

Ladelle PTY LTD/ Fabric and textile bed linens etc Australia new Zealand and EU: Dragon Wizards comforter sets, bath mats, floor mats, throws cushions.

 

Ceaco Puzzle Manufacturer/ Worlds largest puzzle manufacturer, supplying to major retailers such as: Wallmart, Target, K-Mart etc. Dragon Wizard Puzzle 8 years best seller in that category.

 

Ravensburger FAO Schmidt Puzzles/ Worlds largest collectible and educational market manufacturer of Jigsaw Puzzles.

 

Great American Puzzle/ one of the longest standing Puzzle manufacturers in the US.

 

Cobble Hill Puzzles/ largest Canadian and second largest US manufacturer of high end Jigsaw Puzzles.

 

Tree Free Greetings cards/ largest manufacturer of eco friendly greeting cards sold in all auto and truck stop franchises in the US as well as several restaurant store chains such as Perkins Restaurants.

 

Tate & Co/ Greeting cards and Coffee Mugs

 

In the Wood/ Custom engraved and Tile Boxes

 

Heaven and Earth designs and essentials/ Largest manufacturer of cross stitch products sold at all major craft and Hobby stores world wide.

 

Ed Beard Jr. has also illustrated for Tolkien Lord of the Rings products as well as other fantasy novel authors.

Ed Beard Jr. Has a successful line of Instructional DVD's that are sold world wide along with the most subscribers to his Youtube instruction on fantasy art videos in the category.

With over thousands of online gamers, Tolkien Lord of the Rings and Dragon movies collectors world wide, the popularity of the Dragon and Wizard themes in IP licensing, we hope you agree that adding the the Art of Ed Beard Jr. to your offerings would be a winner.

To inquire:

1-800-877-5772

E-mail and Contact


Below is a link banner to a great website for Sword and sorcery lovers alike. They conducted an in depth interview with Ed which prompted a series of creative questions that had Ed truly reaching deep into his memory and background as an artist. Ed truly feels this is one of the best interviews he has had. We highly recommend that you take a moment after you have browsed below to get a current overview of Ed's works, art career and the person.

Here is a link from a Blogger on Blogger.com who recently interviewed Ed Beard (an extensive interview at that!).

SLD's Resources - Sharon has a BS Ed from California Univ., in PA. Her blogs are mostly about and for: EDUCATORS, PARENTS, STUDENTS. Creativity, Gardner's Multiple Intelligences, Blooms Taxonomy, and Literacy are priorities. Comprehensive English is a focus. All Ages.

Click Here to go to the Introduction

Click Here to go to Part I of the interview

Click Here to go to Part II of the interview


Biographical History of Ed Beard Jr.

An in depth look at the person and the Artist

 

1976 - Ed's first international commission came at an early age when he was commissioned by the POPE PAUL VI in 1978 via Cardinal Medeiros of Boston to represent the United States as delegate to the arts . From this commission came many more years of religious works including a 70' tall cathedral walls and ceilings with various religious depictions years later. Young Ed was always inspired by the masters of the Renaissance period and at age 11 studied Anatomical physiology along with other medical anatomy applications to better understand the human figure.

 madonnachild.jpg (58372 bytes)

Ed created this image when he was just 11 years old.

 

Ed was all of 11-14 when he was working as a government official portrait painter to such distinguished people as Carl Albert speaker of the US house of Representatives under President Carter, Hubert Humphrey, Vice President of the United States and Senator, and many more.

 

By the time Ed was in Junior High School, Ed's only other main Hobby was Power lifting.

As you can imagine from his picture above, young Ed was a skinny and introverted child who became the target of the typical bullies who enjoyed beating on Ed when ever they got the chance. However much like the classic cartoon in the back of the comic books where the bully kicks sand in the skinny kid's face, young Ed got sick of the abuse and dedicated every minute he was not drawing to training for "Power lifting". Ed took to Power lifting above bodybuilding or any other team sport due to the "personal goals and achievements" that require an all or nothing attitude. Ed never liked the egotistical self admiring types that were in Bodybuilding and had nothing in common with the typical "Jocks" on the football or team sports, so Power lifting was the natural solitary sport of champions for Ed.

By the time Ed was a junior in High School, NO one ever picked on Ed again. Ed's dedication and passion for the sport took him to the next level as he found himself competing in national competitions in the 148 and 165 Lb class. Over the next 10 years Ed set a "Natural drug FREE" world record in the dead lift and one first place in his weight class in 1987. USPF Powerlifting member 1987

 


1982-1994 - Ed spent the better part of the 80'S customizing auto's and motorcycles for national competition collectors. Ed's auto mural work gained world recognition when his custom mural work one him several World of Wheel Awards and Winston Championships. Ed also wrote feature instruction articles for "Air Brush Action Magazine .

 

Ed on a custom Chopper he painted 1995

 

 

 

 

 



During that same time Ed was the first muralist in the country to fully illustrate and airbrush a full size public transit bus for RI. The Zoo Bus was featured in many news papers in
New England. The Roger Williams Park Zoo Bus had every inch muraled including the roof. Ed also created murals for 50'S style dinners and several story buildings through out the early and mid 80's many of which are still there today.

Ed took on the Largest mural undertaking of his career with the Cathedral of St Anne's in Cranston RI. With 60' walls and several chambers illustrating the "Last Judgment" the " Transfiguration" the " Ascension" and more, it is the largest scale work Ed has ever undertaken in mural format.

 

RI Transit Zoo Bus 1992

 

Hand Airbrushed NO digital Vinyl printing back then

 

Completed in about 100 hrs

 

Completed

 

 

1930's Delivery Bus

 

1978 Olds hood for Joker Show Car.

 

1992 Captain America for Comic Store Vehicle

 

1986 Space Mural above Arcade games at Mall

 

Arcade Mural wall. ( back when kid's actually went to the Arcade and met with friends)

 

Billiards Hall 100' wall Mural

 

1984 wall mural ( Hey Ed has a full head of hair)

 

Arnold's Diner Happy Days and 50'S Mural 1985

Yeah baby 1979 Z28 my work car...

Totally hand brushed with lettering enamel paint Lighted sign both sides.

Nothing but Vinyl digital printing these days.. Sign Painting "used" to be an art form highly sought after until digital printing took over.

 

The Mural that got the whole thing started, Cafeteria 40' wall CYO center Cranston RI.




1989 - Present - By the late 80's and early 90's Ed aggressively pursued the Comic Book and Gaming art publishing art market.

Ed has created many Comic Book character sketches and renderings at Comic Cons as well as commission work.

BATMAN AND JOKER

He attended his first Gen Con Gaming Convention in 1993 and was hired by a new upstart company known today for its world famous Magic the Gathering Card Game now owned by Hasbro. Ed has nearly 200 cards in Magic alone.

Birds of Paradise by Ed Beard Jr. Psychatog by Ed Beard Jr.

Ed has worked for RPG magazines, card Games, children’s books and just about anything Fantasy Game and Comic related.

With over 1000 published works and hundreds of other interior and cover works as well as a lengthy list of licensed products with Ed’s images on them, ranging from t-shirts, mugs, puzzles, calendars, and more, Ed's art can be found just about anywhere.

2003 - Ed's art has climbed the licensing charts for merchandise as well. Such international companies as ("The Mountain Corp" world's largest manufacturer of T-Shirts) ("The Rook Corp" world's largest manufacturer of collectible game tins to hold cards.) ("The Tree-Free Greetings Card Corp" world's largest manufacturer of Tree Free non paper based Greeting Cards), Ceaco, Cobble Hill and other jigsaw puzzle companies, and more.

licproducts.jpg (80143 bytes)

2004 - Ed is extremely proud of his role as co-producer in Z-Man Games’ product " Camelot Legends" a hybrid card / board game where players can battle Knights and Kings at Cornwall, the Perilous Forest and even Camelot. Ed and his wife Kelly, through their company, art directed and handled all of the artist content of the card images. Ed is extremely proud of this boxed set product and is proud to have worked with 29 of the most talented people in the fantasy gaming Art industry as well as with the likes of Designer of the Game Andrew Parks and Publisher and long time friend Zev Shlasinger of Z-Man Games.

Camelot Legends game coverart by Ed Beard Jr.

2006 Ed launches ERS Publishing and Licensing and begins representing a select group of top Fantasy Illustrators by publishing them through licensing on various products.

ERSwebsitelogo1sml.jpg (46573 bytes)

Ed has released his own full color Art book called "The Enchanted Realm" available on Ed’s website, Amazon.com, Bud Plant Comic Catalog, and other major bookstore chains.

Enchanted Realm, Art of Ed Beard Jr.

Click Here to Learn about this book

ottosreview.jpg (41497 bytes)

Click Here to View News Review on this book.


2007- Ed also has illustrated the 2007, 2008 and soon to be 2009 and 2010 "Dragon" calendar internationally distributed by Tide-Mark the world leader in calendars.

2008 Dragon Calendar, Ed Beard Jr.


2007
  In an ever increasing digital world, always looking for a faster, easier, and more efficient technology for art, Ed has launched "handpaintedmasters.org" a web site and organization that celebrates the unique skill set and ability of the traditional hand painted techniques by his and many other top industry illustrators from Fantasy to Wildlife art, and the one of a kind tangible original art that is generated from the craft. This will be an ongoing project and showcase artists and Illustrators who still use tangible mediums and preserve the Fine Art aspect of representational Art.

Hand Painted Masters

July 2007- Ed produces a series of instructional DVDs to which samples are uploaded to youtube.com and have received tremendous approval and requests for Ed to begin a new series that include “Drawing the Dragon” “The Complete Drawing Instruction” and a new series showcasing Ed’s unique acrylic painting technique.

dvdbut.jpg (9926 bytes)


Ed's family and personal philosophies

 

Ed's wife Kelly, a theater performer and singer is an accomplished vocalist and performs with the prestigious Susquehanna Valley Chorale with Bucknell University Conductor, Dr. William Payne. Ed and Kelly have been together for 19 years.  They have two children Destini  (who also performs theater and sings) is 17 yrs and Dustin (who is already showing that he has the gift and skill in illustration and designing as well) is 11 yrs.

 

Ed's wife Kelly at Faire

 

Destini, Dustin and our puppy Simon

 

In recognition of Ed's long time pet, mascot and fellow dragon spirit "Drago" who past away Dec 4, 2008 . A truly Elder Dragon went to the big desert in the sky and we will miss him. Drago was 12 yrs 8 mos. Many a painting and dragon inspiration emerged from Ed's loyal and faithful pet Bearded Dragon. We shall see you again.


 

Ed continues to attend Renaissance faires across the country where he demonstrates his craft and signs autographs for his card gaming fans. He continues to be a regular attendee at Origins and the Pittsburgh Comic Con each year. Ed also attends CCG tournaments as well as Renaissance faires domestically and overseas as artist guest.

If you would like to License the Art of Ed Beard Jr. or have Ed attend your convention for Illustration lectures, demonstrations or appearances simply e-mail us or call

1-570-547-1710

 Shopping Galleries

 Links

 E-mail and Contact

 Return to Home page

  Phone 570-547-1710