Rich Charlson was born and raised in Great Falls, Montana.  He spent the summers working on the family farm in Carter, Montana.  When he married, he moved to the farm and has lived there since.  He was "inspired" to become to an artist when he discovered farming didn't always pay the bills.

  His earliest woodworking experience was in 1985 when drought forced him to look for other ways to make a living so he began routing redwood signs. The signs were a great success! Soon he bought a second hand lathe and began turning bowls.  Before long he started gluing wood to make patterned bowls and began making other items: cribbage boards, lazy susans, candle holders, etc.  He soon found he had real talent and that he loved working with the wood.

Rich works with a large variety of woods using their natural color and grain to create beautiful patterns and designs.  He uses native Montana woods in many of his creations.

The bowls are the most popular items  and they have found new homes all over the United States and the world.  The bowls are finished with a USDA approved food safe finish.  They can be used for salads, breads, etc.   

There are several stores around Montana that carry his work. You can see Rich's work at the following locations:

Latigo& Lace - Augusta, Montana Montana House - West Glacier, Montana Grand Union Hotel Gift Shop - Fort Benton, Montana The Spiral Spoon - East Glacier Park, Montana Seldom Seen Knives - West Yellowstone, Montana Stage Station - Seely Lake, Montana Montana Historical Society - Helena, Montana Cascade County Historical Society - Great Falls, Montana

Rich's work will be on exhibit and for sale at the NFR Cowboy Christmas Gift Show, Las Vegas, Nevada December 2009  and at the Jay Contway and Friends Sale March 19,20, 21, &22, 2009 in Great Falls.  Email us for more details.

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