We do not consider art to be some obscure, esoteric pursuit that is practiced by the extremely "gifted" and understood by few. Art is the work of our minds and hands, is the result of the creative process, and we are all creative. How you carve a piece of wood, dig a trench, fold your laundry, form a rock into a functional piece, or, yes, shape a spinning ball of clay all involve the creative process. The purpose of the work that we do at Black Mountain Studios is quite simple: it is to make objects that are pleasing to the eye and the hand, to make things of beauty, be they utilitarian or not. If you look at one of our pieces and have a little bit of your breath taken away, or hold it in your hands or lift it to your mouth, and it feels good, it feels right, then we have achieved our goal.