- Ed Beard Jr
- Jan 5
- 4 min read
A literal LIFETIME in the making here's a FIRST SNEAK PEEK of the front and back covers! It's been 20 yrs since my last ART BOOK was published. NOW with YOUR HELP supporting my future KICKSTARTER, my LIFETIME of creative works of 240 pages (MORE IF we meet our stretch goals) will become a reality. Hundreds of full-color and B/W art including the "Stories" and worlds (such as "The DragonLord" soon to be a Sorcery: Contested Realm TCG adaptation) and all the stories I wrote behind my ART over the last 43 plus years will be presented in this Book.
Also it's NOT just pretty pictures, within the pages are step-by-step techniques in both fantasy game products and Automotive Airbrush. Entire chapters where I share ALL the methods, advice and my experiences in thriving as an artist and all aspects of business: cultivating fans, marketing, manufacturing, promoting your work in licensing, defending your copyrights and supporting the artist collector base.
Dozens of chapters sharing my near 50 yrs of illustrating and 43 yrs of being a self-employed artist who is still thriving more than ever before, even in the age of AI image generative IP theft programs.
There is a strong presence of my life and career as an artist with a anecdotal content that reflects my self-taught methods both in art and in the trials and tribulations of a successful art business. Much like a survival guide dedicated to how you can rise to the top of your career, in spite of and without playing politics or being a part of the art clique. All while exploring hundreds of my paintings and drawings.
Visually stunning, story line rich, step-by-step, inspirational and a true honest journey with successes and failure. All behind the curtain of the life of an artist.
So here we are folks, the opportunity to share and experience my journey of 50 years of the defiant, determined child artist who was kicked out of 9th grade art class because he dared to place gargoyles and dragons within the fruit bowls he was forced to draw and rebuked by the art establishment there after. The outcast who rose above every obstacle thrown in front of him and ran the gauntlet of being self-employed and WON! The child and later adult who was determined to be faithful to his dream of taking people on a visual journey into the worlds of the fantastic in both publishing and automotive art and always ready to share, motivate, teach and show how to succeed in whatever goal you have.
Details of the KICKSTARTER will be coming soon. I have chosen to print this entire book including any hardcover versions HERE IN THE USA. As a result this book project will cost ME (not you) approx 3 times as much as other artists who outsource their art books overseas. I refuse to take the risk of poor COLOR and product quality or play Russian roulette with any aspect of production. I am PROUD to be printing at the very same printers who created my first art book and who have created EVERY ART PRINT I have gone offset press with over the last 23 years Independent Graphics in my area of Central, PA USA.
There will be many, EXCLUSIVE to Kickstarter, benefit TIER products such as limited edition art prints ONLY available through the Kickstarter, products like throw blankets with unique art, tumblers etc.
Naturally I will have PREMIUM top collector tiers offering drawings within the books as well as ORIGINAL art for our very top tiers.
If we meet our stretch goals and raise a certain amount above our main goal we will expand the book to more pages or even create a separate "Sketch Book Collectible".
Every Kickstarter backed book will be "hand signed by me"
This will most likely be my last book as I don't have another 20 yrs left in me folks. So stay tuned and PLEASE support this project. Without a successful kickstarter this will never happen. I have everything ready to go, page layout and all content is a go! The fulfillment of this project should take approx 3-4 months from the Kickstarter ending.
RISKS? Yup there always is in any business venture, but in this case that's been reduced to a full refund of funds I receive from your pledge fees, in the event I die or am unable to complete this mission. Anyone of my collectors know that I have survived in business this long because I treat people as I wish to be treated and my family and I eat, sleep and breath ethical business practices. 43 yrs in business and 35 yrs in retail Ren faires and shows, is my resume.
I have already placed a deposit of twenty five grand so I am serious and committed. But that's all the financial contribution I can make the rest I am dependent ON YOU my loyal collectors and fans.
Please feel free to comment and offer any suggestions for reward tiers.
