Luke Metz pays close attention to detail with his functional ware. Each piece is refined a number of times during its creation. Details such as durability and ergonomics are important considerations for Luke. He is fascinated to explore variations on a theme and will find a design he likes and try numerous alterations. For example, tea bowls are very simple and yet the potential variations are endless. He brings his creativity to his functional pieces. They are expressive and unique – he rarely duplicates pieces. This keeps the creative spirit and innovation alive for him.
Mugs are Fun
Within the area of functional ware, mugs and drinking bowls (no handles) provide many opportunities for exploration and variation. Weight and capacity are some of the basic variables. The foot of a mug offers many possibilities. Many of his mugs are done without a trimmed foot (although Luke does like a crude, hand-carved foot on some of my tea bowls). Sometimes he will give a sense of motion and fluidity to the base/foot of a mug. The lip of the mug is also an area of exploration. Luke often uses an “ergonomic” lip that is designed to fit neatly between the lips. “Landscape” rims that undulate can add interest to a tea bowl or mug. Handles on his mugs are usually hand-pulled off the mug giving a sense of fluidity and spontaneity – he does one finger through four finger handles. The body of the mug offers possibilities for texturing, altering and fluting. Luke Metz probably has a mug for you.
Bread bakers are a recent and fun addition to his line of functional ware. These bakers can bake a beautiful hard-crusted bread, and they can also be used as casseroles and as lidded serving bowls.
Good to Know
Unless otherwise noted, all Luke’s functional pieces are food safe, water safe, microwave safe and dishwasher safe (as long as they are not bumping against anything else in the dishwasher). If using these pieces in the oven, do NOT preheat the oven. To avoid thermal shock place the piece in a room temperature oven and bring to heat. His functional pieces can take the heat – he heats his bread bakers to 500°.
You can visit the studio of Luke Metz and/or galleries that show his work in and near Sedona, Arizona.
Sample Images
Below is a gallery of recent samples of Luke’s work. Click on any thumbnail to see an enlarged image. The left and right arrow keys will navigate you through the enlarged images and the ESC key will put you back on the gallery page.
