“First Taste of Freedom”
My fascination with motorcycles began at 16. Growing up in a rural area with working parents and a large family, mornings and commutes were often hectic. Getting my motorcycle license wasn’t just about convenience—it was my first real taste of freedom, autonomy, and movement on my own terms.
“Learning Through Repair”
Though circumstances and responsibilities evolved, that early sense of liberation stayed with me. Over time, I refined my skills in metal shaping through countless hours of repair and restoration, developing a deep respect for the material; its resistance, flexibility, and memory. Each dent corrected, each surface smoothed, taught me not just technique, but patience and intention. Working within the practical constraints of fixing what was broken, I felt an increasing pull toward the creative edge of the craft.
“Motorcycles Re-emerge”
Eventually, I reached a point where I felt stuck — disconnected from the restoration work and the life I had built around it. I needed something new. Unexpectedly, motorcycles resurfaced, offering more than just physical freedom. They became a creative outlet, blending utility with expression in a way that felt fresh, exciting and deeply personal.
“Present-Day Process”
Today, I approach motorcycle building not as a purely mechanical process, but as an artistic pursuit. I don’t begin with rigid blueprints; instead, each build evolves organically, led by instinct and the tactile feedback of the materials themselves. The same freedom I still feel while riding, I now find in the act of shaping metal—letting each line, curve, and detail guide the outcome.
“Vision for the Future”
Looking forward, I’m committed to deepening this practice, exploring new forms, pushing creative boundaries, and building machines that are not only beautiful but evocative. My goal is to continue crafting motorcycles that spark an emotional response, vehicles that are not only meant to be ridden, but felt, remembered, and experienced.
CV
2010/04 - Skills Canada, Auto-Body Repair Technician, National Bronze Medal
2011/04 - Skills Canada, Auto-Body Repair Technician, National Bronze Medal
2014/01 - Auto-Body Repair Technician Red Seal Certification
2017/08 - Motorcycles As Art, “Old Iron, Young Blood” Invitee Sturgis, SD
2017/10 - Bike EXIF Article “Master of Metal: Jay Donovans Amazing Yamaha XS650”
2018/02 - The One Moto Show Invitee “Manta” Portland, OR
2018/04 - The Handbuilt Motorcycle Show Invitee “Manta” Austin, TX
2019/ 01 - Haas Moto Museum Commission “Stingray”
2019/11 - Bike EXIF Article “Stingray: An Otherworldly Addition to the Haas Museum”
2020/05 - Haas Moto Museum Commission “Amadeus”
2020/04 - PipeBurn Interview
2020/04 - “Leaving Tracks” A Haas Moto Museum Documentary
2020/10 - Robb Report Feature “7 Stunning Hand-Built Motorcycles that Represent the New Counterculture of Creativity”
2021/06 - PipeBurn Article “Art of the Machine: Amadeus by Jay Donovan”
2021/07 - Built for Good Charity Bike Build & Raffle
2021/11 - BMW Motorrad Canada Commission “Winter Projects”
2023/08 - “The Motorcycle: The Definitive Collection of the Haas Moto Museum” Feature
2024/06 - Motocraft: Where Speed Meets Art, Invitee “Haas Series” Toronto, CA