Luke earned a BS in civil engineering from Hofstra University where he also played on the golf team.
He prides himself in being the son of his talented mother Diane Smith (creator & owner of Colorful Inspirations) and businessman Dave Smith (founder & owner of Reel Deals). Since he was a kid Luke was always taking apart objects around the house and figuring out how they went back together. He had the drive to tinker, explore, learn new skills, and always be curious about the world around him.
With no formal education, Luke started making by having an idea in mind for a project and figuring out how to bring it to life using the tools around him. Without much experience with those tools, learned by doing and developed better technique and skill along the way.
Throughout grade school, Luke took great interest in art classes as well as technical education classes. During his time at Hofstra University, with little access to tools, he spent free time discovering and following makers on social media platforms. Inspiration from those other makers left him thinking “I want to try that!”
Golf & Engineering
Luke grew up in a family of golfers and started swinging a club at the age of 5. In the sport of golf, it is not only about physical technique of a swing but requires quite a bit of imagination to visualize how to get the ball in the cup. Through years of playing, he was always fascinated by the shape of the golf course landscape. He would sketch out drawings for what he thought would make a great golf hole. The idea of golf course architecture led off the course to his fascination with Engineering. He went to Hofstra University on Long Island to play collegiate golf and obtain a degree in Civil Engineering.
Woodwork
Woodworking was a craft which immediately captured his interest and passion. In the beginning of his exploration into the craft, he was designing and creating furniture, decorative pieces, and improvements around the house. Using simple tools that were pulled out of the closet and set up on the ground. Over time, in moving from one living space to the next, the tool collection continued to expand, and the workshop went from tools on the floor, to currently being a dedicated shop space in the garage of Luke and Priscilla’s home on Long Island.
Blacksmithing
Through engagement within the maker community, Luke has made many friendships and connections with other makers that bring continued inspiration and ideas to him. This has led Luke to enter the world of Blacksmithing and metalwork. His workshop is no longer specifically dedicated to woodworking, but now interchanges to a blacksmith shop.