Bio
Charles Marion Russell, also known as C.M. Russell or “Kid” Russell, was a prolific American artist renowned for depicting the American West. Throughout his life, Russell produced over 2,000 paintings, sculptures, and illustrations portraying cowboys, Native Americans, and Western landscapes. His works are cherished for capturing the spirit of the Old West, and he is often called “the cowboy artist.”
Born in Missouri, Russell had a passion for art and the West from a young age. At 16, he left school to work on a sheep ranch in Montana, where he fully embraced the cowboy lifestyle. He later worked as a cowboy and lived with the Blood Indians, deepening his understanding of Native American culture. His firsthand experiences in the West greatly informed his artwork, with one of his most famous early works, Waiting for a Chinook, documenting the brutal winter of 1886-1887.
Russell’s career took off after his work gained attention in Helena, Montana. He settled in Great Falls in 1892, where he spent most of his life. Russell became internationally acclaimed with the help of his wife, Nancy, who promoted his art. His works are now housed in major collections, including the C.M. Russell Museum in Montana.
In addition to his artistic legacy, Russell was a storyteller and advocate for Native Americans, supporting efforts to create the Rocky Boy Reservation in Montana. His influence endures as one of the greatest chroniclers of the American West.
