U.S. Navy Veteran Ed Hawkins Creates Artwork for the Glendale Harley Davidson Love Ride. The Largest Motorcycle Charity Event in the World.

After spending 4 years in the U.S. Navy, Ed Hawkins decided to hit the college scene and become a Designer. Using skills instilled in him during his enlistment, he graduated with a B.S. Degree in 3 years at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. Known as one of the toughest design Colleges in the world, Art Center is well known in automotive circles as one of the premier Car Styling, and Product Design campuses. "It's a no-nonsense atmosphere where you are challenged every single day to come up with something new and original" says Ed. "Class critiques are brutal. Your classmates are your best critics, and don't hold back letting you know if your drawings for that days lesson aren't up to what is expected".

After Graduation, Ed became a footwear designer, and designs shoes for a company that supplies footwear to many Department Stores in the United States. At night, he would create t-shirt artwork for his website called Coolmilitary.com. "When I got out of the Navy, I was always looking for a cool Navy shirt to wear on Veterans Day. I had a hard time finding something that looked really different, so I went ahead and made my own. I sold a few on Ebay, and decided to make a small website to sell them online out of my garage. Rather than starting a garage band, I guess you could say I started a garage t-shirt company."

It was through Ed's wife Meg, that he became introduced to Glendale Harley Davidson and it's charity, the Love Ride. It was suggested that he submit a design for the t-shirts that are sold at the event, and used in all of their promotional material. "I threw my hat in the ring, so to speak and the rest went pretty quickly" says Ed. The design was well received, and after a few color changes, the artwork was approved.

Glendale Harley owner Oliver Shokouh founded the Love Ride twenty-four years ago as a way to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy and local children’s charities. Since then, the Love Ride Foundation has given over $20 million to community organizations. This Years Love Ride is taking place on November 11th 2007.

"I really owe the Navy a debt of gratitude for teaching me patience, and giving me a great work ethic.
I don't believe that I would be where I am now, without the training that the Navy gave me."

Ed now looks forward to doing more t-shirt designs, and is making plans to give back to the Military community that helped in on his way to a great career. "Not only was the Navy a great Adventure" says Ed, "But it has allowed me to continue on many new adventures as well."


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If you'd like more information about Ed Hawkins, or to schedule and interview, please call 818-517-3103 or email sales@coolmilitary.com

For More information on the Glendale Harley Davidson Love Ride Charity Event, please email registration@loveride.org, or call 818-246-5618 X141

Sir or Madaam,

I enjoyed hearing about Ed, is this you. I use to live in San Dimas, CA about twenty miles south of Pasadena (Raging Waters). I'm an ex Army Sargeant, but work for the Navy. It's a cool job, and have met alot of current as well as ex-Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Army.

I'm also a Screen Printer, and Embroiderer. I would be interested to find out if you can create some designs on Hip Hop Style Shoes? I have a customer in NY, that wants screen printed shoes, but I don't know anyone that has the screenpress and heat press for shoes.

If you can help me let me know,

Paul