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.

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.

Ed also had an illustrious career 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.

1982 - 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 .

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.

1988 - The Largest undertaking was 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.

1989 - 2002 - By the late 80's and early 90's Ed aggressively pursued the Comic Book and Gaming art publishing art market.

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.

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" worlds largest manufacturer of T-Shirt's) ("Cuppa Corp" worlds largest manufacturer of Coffee fantasy image based Mugs) ("The Rook Corp" worlds largest manufacturer of collectible game tins to hold cards.) ("The Tree-Free Greetings card Corp" worlds largest manufacturer of Tree Free non paper based Greeting Cards), Ceaco, Cobble Hill and other jigsaw puzzle companies, and more.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Ed and his wife Kelly, a theater performer and singer, have been have been together for 17 years.  They have two children Destini  (who also performs theater and sings) is 15 yrs and Dustin (who is already showing that he has the gift and skill in illustration as well) is 10 yrs.

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 Gen Con and Origins and the Pittsburgh Comic Con each year. Ed also attends CCG tournaments both domestically and overseas as artist guest.

Below is a self portrait of Ed relentlessly demanding perfection from his students!

Ed was called to create the Magic The gathering Card entitled " Fascist Art Director" Ed couldn't resist the temptation to poke fun at  many of the comments and demands that are placed on artists who worked for Wizards of the Coast or for any other large corporation.  Take a moment to laugh and to read the papers on the back board.  This image appeared in the "Unhinged" comical game card set from Wizards of the Coast Magic The Gathering.   Although Ed is known for his intensely passionate nature when it comes to encouraging and motivating young artists to be the best they can be, Ed admits that he does fall shy of the Fascist Art Director and all his glory! ;)

In actuality I am a bit like this when it comes to being an advocate for artists rights on a national scale and am always looking out for artists rights, to learn more about the most recent intellectual property and copyright law that is threatening artists, illustrators and photographers ability to protect their hard work and properties, go to: www.illustratorpartnership.org  and look for the link to the "OW" Orphaned Works Copyright Legislation currently being deliberated in congress.