Don Ed Hardy (born 1945) is a renowned American tattoo artist recognized for his distinctive tattoos, significant impact on the evolution of contemporary tattoo styles, and his namesake brand.

Hardy was born on January 5, 1945, in Des Moines, Iowa.[1] He was raised in Corona del Mar, located in Newport Beach, California.  As a young boy, Ed Hardy developed an interest in tattoos: one of his friends’ dads had Army tattoos, which fascinated him so much that he used pens and colored pencils to draw on other kids in the neighborhood. Hardy also acknowledges his mother, who backed his creative endeavors and motivated him to pursue his interests. Here is some examples of his traditional style tattoo flash.