Charles M. Russell

THE COWBOY PAINTER

A cowboy, who knew his West, had lived with the Indians, and knew the sign language communication among savages of the Great West.

            (1864-1926)

Charles Russell belongs to no established school of art. His work was distinctly his own, and he was known as the "cowboy artist".

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, as a youth he showed little interest in formal education, and was permitted, at age fifteen, to leave school and go out to the great wild West, the land of his heart's desire, and there he began his real education.

He went to Montana when life on the range was in its glory, and the Indians were part of everyday existence. He lived among them and came to know their inner life, their hopes and aspirations. He learned their sign language and customs, and so was able to depict Indians as if he were one of them.

Russell was exceptional at using the lariat; was adept with a pistol; horses became second nature to him; so hunting and killing buffalo became the formation of knowledge that made him well equipped when he started to paint. For eleven years he rode the range by choice, during nighttime, so he could have his daylight hours for painting and modeling sculpture.

No one was more surprised than the artist himself, who had drawn pictures and painted  because of his great love of the work, and financial gain was of no importance.

In 1896, he married his wife Nancy. The next year, they moved from Cascade, Montana to neighboring Great Falls, where Russell spent the majority of his life.  He continued with his art, becoming a local celebrity and gaining the acclaim of critics worldwide. He kept primarily to himself, Nancy is generally given credit in making Russell an internationally known artist. She set up many shows for him throughout the United States and in London creating many followers of his works.

On the day of Charles Russell's funeral in 1926, all the children in Great Falls were released from school to watch the funeral procession. Russell's coffin was displayed in a glass sided coach, pulled by four black horses.