Meet the Artist: Shawn Coffey
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Imagine the thrill of being the "boy-from-New-Mexico-who-makes-good"! Shawn matured from a 13-year-old by the moniker of "SLik" who experimented with graffiti art in Albuquerque's South Valley neighborhood. He now holds an enviable position as one of the nation's top metal artisans and head artist for Artisan House, Inc.®, California-based designers and crafters of unique, fine-quality metal sculptures for wall, floor, and tabletop.
Laidback and personable by nature, metal artist Shawn Coffey's journey as an artist began in 1983. As hip-hop music mushroomed in popularity, Coffey and his friends began painting their hip-hop inspired graffiti artwork. "I was given the name 'SLik' because I was a great color blender with spray paint - in other words, I was 'slick' with color. I painted on a wall in my local park and did some things I shouldn't have done," he admits. Eventually, local homeowners asked Coffey and his friends to paint the walls surrounding their homes to discourage local gangs from covering over their colorful artwork. "All in all, I'm thankful that I experimented with graffiti art because it really taught me how to use color."
After teaching himself to weld and create metal artwork, Coffey left Albuquerque to travel the United States showing and selling his art pieces. Coffey's designs have been showcased in studios across the country, and more than 150 pieces of his original artwork are on display in private homes and businesses.
Artisan House president John Shilling "discovered" Coffey while was he was teaching art to sixth and eighth graders back home in Albuquerque. Recognizing his awesome talents, Shilling convinced Coffey to move to Burbank and accept the head artist position with Artisan House. Calling Coffey a "very gifted" artist, Shilling counts Coffey's use of color as one of his many artistic strengths. "Shawn is also very familiar with working on the shop floor and constructing his own metal art pieces. He knows what will and won't work in the construction process." As head artist, Coffey has also gained the respect and confidence of his fellow artists. "The team collaborates, shares in the creative process and other artists seek Coffey's opinion, especially on ideas related to color," Shilling says.
