Distinctly Montana Magazine

W W W. D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A . C O M 39 to temperature. e afternoon is spent pouring and cleaning metal. Like most of my life, the shop is juxtaposed between a quiet, calm studio and a loud, fast-paced metal shop. YOUR RUSTIC HARDWARE ART IS BEAUTIFUL, AND FALLS INTO THE CATEGORY OF "USEFUL" ART. HOW DOES THE PROCESS FOR CREATING THE HARDWARE DIFFER FROM THE SPLASHED BRONZE? I use a large centrifuge spinner that forces the pewter into high-temperature rubber molds that I have designed. is allows me to produce rustic hardware and tiles that fit into any lodge or cabin décor. ARE YOU EXPERIMENTING WITH OTHER APPROACHES TO YOUR ART, OR OTHER ART FORMS AT THE MOMENT? I have been influenced by an eclectic group of other artists from Remington to Pollack and enjoy short vacations from my metal work. I currently have been working in sculpted paper and pallet knife oil painting. Each medium has its own textural qualities to explore. While metal will always be my focus, I enjoy experiment- ing and learning new ways of expressing myself. WHEN YOU'RE NOT WORKING, WHAT THINGS IN LIFE BRING JOY TO YOUR HEART? e simple things in life give me the greatest pleasure. Good friends and family close by to enjoy an early morning horse ride or float a lazy river while casting a fly. ere are so many wild places to enjoy all in the name of field research, of course. ere is nothing better than sitting around a campfire with people I love, enjoying each other, wrapped in this amazing place we call Montana. Chip Jones is a fifth generation Montanan, who has been working in the arts most of his life. He had his first art show while attending Montana State University in Bozeman in 1980. After earning a degree in Art education he went on to teach at both the elementary and high school level. He built his personal bronze foundry "BigRock Bronze Works" in 1997 and has been creat- ing his work there ever since. This place has allowed him to experiment with all methods of pouring bronze including the lost wax method, sand casting and open face plaster. He created a rustic line of hardware which has been sold in over 300 design shops and galleries across the country in 1998. His work can be found in all 50 states and many fine lodges abroad. See www.cmjones.net He is also an avid outdoorsman and feels it is his responsibility to give back to the charitable organizations that help to protect the wild places for future generations. He has donated over 40 works in bronze to organizations such as; the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Trout Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Federation of North American Wild Sheep and many others. His studio is in Stevensville, MT, and he welcomes visitors. UPCOMING SHOWS Rocky Mountain Elk Banquet Missoula, MT. May 14th, 2016 Spokane Valley Art Auction Spokane, WA. May 21st, 2016 Heart of the West Coeur D' Alene, ID. September 1st- 4th, 2016 Prairie Past

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