Future Plans, Subject to Change

The intaglio etching Future Plans was made in 1967 as Hardy was finishing his undergraduate degree in printmaking at the San Francisco Art Institute. This self-portrait declared his decision to become a professional tattoo artist, instead of accepting a fellowship from Yale University to pursue a graduate degree.

This was a radical move, as tattooing at that time was generally perceived as a “low-class” enterprise, far removed from the recognized art world. His intention was to develop its potential as an under-valued medium, transform the genre, and de-stigmatize it.

He portrayed himself in the classic early 20th century “Tattooed Man” pose associated with carnival midways. Then, he had only a few small upper arm tattoos, which are shown in the work—the rest are random examples of classic vernacular folk art tattoos.

Future Plans: Subject to Change takes the original image as a jumping-off point for transformation. As a digital print, it is then manipulated with a variety of tools including oil, acrylic, ink, pencil, and colored pencil to create a range of unique scenarios. These conceptual excursions draw from personal experiences and Hardy's passion for art history. The prints are available individually in an edition of 100 archival pigment prints on cold press paper, each titled, signed, and numbered. There are also a limited number of portfolios containing all twelve images along with a colophon and artist’s statement, in a handmade linen box.

EYECONS are new works of art by Don Ed Hardy, created in collaboration with master printer David Salgado at his Trillium Graphics studio near San Francisco. They are
a totally original fusion of oil painting, traditional printmaking techniques, and digital technology. These are combined into three-dimensional sculptures utilizing high-tech plastics, paper, and wood.

The imagery is all originated by Hardy and developed in layers. This first series, initiated over a two-week period in late March and early April of 2007, is the beginning of what promises to be an endless development of theme and variation in various shapes and sizes.

EYECONS will be available in three forms: unique originals, hand painted and created by the artist; limited, numbered editions of images reproduced, then added to by hand‹ each of these replicas will be unique variations on a consistent image base. Finally, there will be reproduction objects of the original works, created with the same technology and signed by the artist.

Find out more about Don Ed Hardy on Wikipedia

Read about his show "East Meets West" at Track 16 Gallery.

EYECONS are new works of art by Don Ed Hardy, created in collaboration with master printer David Salgado at his Trillium Graphics studio near San Francisco. They are
a totally original fusion of oil painting, traditional printmaking techniques, and digital technology. These are combined into three-dimensional sculptures utilizing high-tech plastics, paper, and wood.

The imagery is all originated by Hardy and developed in layers. This first series, initiated over a two-week period in late March and early April of 2007, is the beginning of what promises to be an endless development of theme and variation in various shapes and sizes.

EYECONS will be available in three forms: unique originals, hand painted and created by the artist; limited, numbered editions of images reproduced, then added to by hand‹ each of these replicas will be unique variations on a consistent image base. Finally, there will be reproduction objects of the original works, created with the same technology and signed by the artist.

Find out more about Don Ed Hardy on Wikipedia.

Read about his show "East Meets West" at Track 16 Gallery.

EYECONS are new works of art by Don Ed Hardy, created in collaboration with master printer David Salgado at his Trillium Graphics studio near San Francisco. They are
a totally original fusion of oil painting, traditional printmaking techniques, and digital technology. These are combined into three-dimensional sculptures utilizing high-tech plastics, paper, and wood.

The imagery is all originated by Hardy and developed in layers. This first series, initiated over a two-week period in late March and early April of 2007, is the beginning of what promises to be an endless development of theme and variation in various shapes and sizes.

EYECONS will be available in three forms: unique originals, hand painted and created by the artist; limited, numbered editions of images reproduced, then added to by hand‹ each of these replicas will be unique variations on a consistent image base. Finally, there will be reproduction objects of the original works, created with the same technology and signed by the artist.

Find out more about Don Ed Hardy on Wikipedia.

Read about his show "East Meets West" at Track 16 Gallery.

EYECONS are new works of art by Don Ed Hardy, created in collaboration with master printer David Salgado at his Trillium Graphics studio near San Francisco. They are
a totally original fusion of oil painting, traditional printmaking techniques, and digital technology. These are combined into three-dimensional sculptures utilizing high-tech plastics, paper, and wood.

The imagery is all originated by Hardy and developed in layers. This first series, initiated over a two-week period in late March and early April of 2007, is the beginning of what promises to be an endless development of theme and variation in various shapes and sizes.

EYECONS will be available in three forms: unique originals, hand painted and created by the artist; limited, numbered editions of images reproduced, then added to by hand‹ each of these replicas will be unique variations on a consistent image base. Finally, there will be reproduction objects of the original works, created with the same technology and signed by the artist.

Find out more about Don Ed Hardy on Wikipedia.

Read about his show "East Meets West" at Track 16 Gallery.