My name is Shane Hawkins, and I was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1966. My family lived in the LA area until 1973, when we moved to Petaluma, a small town in northern California. I had a wonderful childhood there and feel grateful to have been raised in a close-knit community where lifelong friendships were easily formed.
Throughout Junior High and High School, I took the usual courses, but one class that stood out to me was Metal Shop. It was in this class that I first learned the basics of welding and metalworking.
After graduating from high school, I tried various jobs, including landscaping, concrete finishing, and working as a gas station attendant and mechanic. However, none of these seemed like long-term career options.
From a young age, I had a strong desire to become a motorcycle race mechanic. To pursue this, I enrolled at the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, to enhance my technical knowledge of motorcycles. Living and studying away from home was costly, so I found a welding job at a local family-owned shop, allowing me to continue developing my metalworking skills.
After completing my education at the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, I stayed on at the metal shop for several years. However, job opportunities as a motorcycle mechanic in Phoenix were scarce, and the starting pay was not enough to make a living. After ten years in Phoenix, I never got used to the heat, so I decided to return to California.
Back home in Petaluma, I found work with a metal artist, fabricating custom sculptures in stainless steel and bronze. I discovered a talent for blending welding with art, creating and installing stunning metal sculptures for clients across the U.S. and Hawaii.
A few years after my return to Petaluma, I took up a new hobby with my best friend: paddling with a Hawaiian outrigger canoe club. This experience introduced me to the Hawaiian culture and the Spirit of Aloha, which resonated with me deeply. Inspired by this, I began incorporating Hawaiian elements into my metal artwork.
With the encouragement of family, friends, and colleagues, I expanded my artistic range, creating jewelry and other pieces that reflect the beauty of the Islands. I continue to design custom pieces upon request, pushing the boundaries of my craft. My work has been showcased at various Hawaiian Aloha festivals around the Bay Area, and I look forward to further exploring this creative path in the future.
Mahalo,
Shane
phatfab@gmail.com