Chip 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 creating his work there, ever since. This 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 fifty states and many fine lodges abroad.
He created a new technique of throwing the bronze into open faced molds in 2007. Using up to 15 iron ladles during a single pour, he creates heavily textured relief work that is both contemporary and recognizable. Chip has always considered himself a texturist and enjoys the affects he achieves by splashing, throwing and dribbling the 2300 degree metal into one of his custom made molds.
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.
If he is not in his studio working on his next piece, you will surely find him tromping the mountain sides of Western Montana.