Distinctly Montana Magazine

w w w . d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m 47 IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE OUR LAST INTERVIEW, SO PERHAPS YOU CAN START BY AGAIN TELLING US THE STORY OF WHAT PROMPTED YOUR INTEREST IN CONCRETE AS A MEANS OF ARTISTIC EXPRESSION. Concrete is a medium I am familiar with from using it to mortar rock walls in my garden. When I was inspired to create art for my garden, I chose the medium I had at hand, which had been well tested in Montana's outdoor environment. WE SEE THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON A PANDEMIC SERIES OF CONCRETE SCULPTURES. WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THIS SERIES? This series represents what we are experiencing during the pan- demic, such as extra time for those not able to work. My piece titled "Isolation" has more detail than usual as a result of my having more time. The second piece, "Corona," reflects the scientific view of the virus, how it looks under a microscope and uses those details as ornamentation. "COVID," the third piece in the series, has a ste- ampunk detail incorporating a historic raft dog and hand-forged horseshoe nails. A carved pattern on the surface forms the number THE MONTANA BLISS ARTWORKS GALLERY adjoins my studio, and each month I feature a solo show of a regional artist. In addition to that show, we feature glass arts, ceramics, wood crafts, and artist-designed jew- elry. The gallery is open Monday through Saturday, 11:00–3:00, and whenever I am working in the studio. You are always welcome to stop and learn about sculpting in concrete and view the studio gallery as well. Barbara Liss is a concrete artist who creates surprisingly expressive and emotional pieces out of a medium that most people wouldn't imagine capable of yielding such beauty. Her renowned works are featured throughout Montana and beyond. Each piece that she coaxes into existence conveys its own unique personality and expressiveness, delighting and inspiring. She creates her life- like sculptures in the Hamilton-based Montana Bliss Artworks, which she owns and which features her work, along with that of other fine artists. Ringing in the century

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