Russell, C. M. 1864-1926

Read Charles Marion Russell's Biography

Throughout his life Charlie had a reputation for being a friendly generous person. He often gave his artwork away to his friends and had no concept that it could earn him a living. In 1896 he married Nancy Cooper and within the year they moved to Great Falls with the idea it would be a good place to market Charlie's work. They didn't find people interested in cowboy and Indian paintings, so they began to look for commissions back east. Nancy was an excellent business manager of her husband's art and very soon they were making a very good living from his paintinggs.