Charles Blanchard has been active as a weaver and artisan since he began his career in an artists’ community in Georgia in the late 1960's.  Since that time he has integrated  many of the world’s weaving traditions and techniques into his unique work.  His initial interest was in reproducing traditional Early American patterns in fine linen.  Soon he was inspired by saddle blanket designs and their use also as area rugs and wall displays.    

 Charles has traveled extensively in Europe, Africa and Asia where he has studied and been influenced by the delicate grass weavings and dance mats of West Africa, the bold colours and designs of cotton dhurries of India and the exotic geometric patterns of Nepalese and Tibetan prayer rugs.  The elegant designs of the Celts as well as Islam similarly  influence his work.   

 Charles designs unique, one-of-a-kind area rugs and weaves them on a Harrisville Rug Loom.  His hand-woven area rugs are a heavy, weft-face twill in a size attractive for home use as wall hangings, prayer rugs or yoga mats.  His use of colours and designs spans the range from bold and dramatic to subtle and intricate.

 Charles was born in 1947 and was raised in Springfield, Illinois.  He received his BA in literature from the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, and his MA in Communications from the University of Illinois, Springfield. He taught English in the Peace Corps in Cameroon, West Africa. 

Charles works with a variety of fibers including linen, many kinds of wool, silk, alpaca and worsted acrylic.  His pieces are available for purchase from his extensive inventory or by commission.