August 26, 2025 Kira Frech

A Collaboration with Harrisburg’s Charlie Feathers

At ModernRugs, we love collaborating with artists who push boundaries and bring raw creativity into new mediums. Our recent collaboration with Harrisburg-based artist Charlie Feathers transformed his bold, energetic paintings into dye-injected nylon rugs.

“I was amazed,” Charlie said. “They look better than my paintings. They have more depth, more of a three-dimensional feel. I take it as a real compliment.”

From Graffiti to Sculpture

Charlie’s creative journey started at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC), where ceramics opened the door to the art world. From there, he expanded into sculpture, painting, block printing, photography, and graffiti. His well-known tags, “Speedy” and “Bootleg,” came from his early days doing street art in Harrisburg.

“Bootleg came from Flipper, the band,” Charlie explained. “They had the dolphin figure, so I bootlegged it. That’s what I do — if I see something that really appeals to me, I put my lick on it. I turn it into what I want it to look like.”

Turning Art into Rugs

Several of Charlie’s works — including Speedy, Bootleg: Feeding Frenzy, and Stairway to Heaven — have been reimagined as rugs through our design process. Seeing his imagery come to life in a tactile, functional medium was powerful.

“Most of my work is meant to be touched. I want people to experience it. That’s what makes these rugs so exciting — they’re interactive art.”

The Role of Music & Obsession

Music is a constant inspiration for Charlie. He describes his process as flowing with rhythm and repetition, often working on multiple projects at once. He admits to having an obsessive streak, but one that keeps him prolific and deeply engaged in his practice.

“I’ve traded one obsession for another. I put down alcohol and drugs and turned it into art. I still get the same high from creating. My mental health depends on this.”

Trash to Treasure

Much of Charlie’s sculptural work is made from recycled materials, often pulled from local junkyards. He builds forms from scrap wire, layers them with papier-mâché, and finds beauty in unexpected textures. Even in clay, his ceramics range from utilitarian bowls to provocative, sculptural forms that spark conversation.

Harrisburg’s Art Scene

Charlie is a familiar face in Harrisburg, frequently showing work at the Civic Club, the Art Association, and the Susquehanna Art Museum. He’ll be part of the upcoming Kipona Festival, where his newest piece, Blue Chair, will be on display.

When asked how people can follow his work, he laughed:

“I’m old school — I’m just on Facebook. That’s where I post shows and new pieces. I don’t need another distraction.”

For Charlie, art is not just creative output — it’s a way of life, a form of recovery, and a channel for self-expression. His collaboration with ModernRugs brings his work into homes and spaces in a whole new way, allowing more people to live with his energy, color, and spirit.