Deletion of Don Ed Hardy (2nd nomination)

Comment: The key to his notability seems to be: "Hardy was the first Western tattoo artist to incorporate Japanese tattoo aesthetic and technique into his work." That, however, currently lacks |verifiability. My own quick research suggests that's just false, and that Sailor Jerry|Sailor Jerry should get that credit for http://books.google.ca/books?id=1h0Z7aHnQxUC&pg=PA72&vq=ed+hardy&dq=don+ed+hardy+first+western+artist+incorporate+japanese+imagery&source=gbs_search_s&sig=ACfU3U0VgMERrgF2U8WW1kDb2L43CYMc0A introducing Japanese imagery into American tattooing. Hardy was a student of Jerry, but not the first
Stance: delete
Cited policy: Wikipedia:Verifiability (WP:VERIFY)

Comment: I think this individual has a significant place in modern culture equivalent to, at least, Banksy or any one of a number of clothing/graphic designers, just based on the degree to which the designs have penetrated fashion.  The honorary doctorate seems sufficient evidence of |notability, and the merchandising aspect seems to me to be just as notable as Happy Bunny, Hello Kitty or a number of other memetic design statements.  I agree that the emphasis on the merchandising is somewhat lopsided, but as a designer he's been successful for more than "fifteen minutes" and deserves an entry here
Stance: keep
Cited policy: Wikipedia:Notability (WP:N)