Artist's
Profile: Terry Redlin
Terry Redlin is most known for his nostalgic depictions of life
and his entrancing use of sunsets and sunrises to enhance the
profound tranquility of his subjects. He has authored two books:
"Opening Windows To The Wild, The Art of Terry Redlin"
released in 1987 and "Master of Memories" released in
1997. He has also been a major contributor to wildlife conservation
over the years and from 1981 through 1997 he donated art work
to Ducks Unlimited to raise money for wetland conservation and
preservation. His donations raised over $28 million for that organization's
projects.
Terry earned the
Telly Award in 1993 for his video presentation of "Terry
Redlin Paints America The Beautiful". Terry's First Book
"Opening Windows To The Wild, The Art of Terry Redlin"
was a Certificate of Merit winner at the Printing Industries
of America competition in 1988. He has been presented with the
"Lithograph of the Year" award at least three times
by the National Association of Limited Edition Dealers. He was
inducted into U.S. Art's Hall of fame in 1992, as well as being
named Artist of The Year by Ducks Unlimited, and Conservationist
Of The Year - Magnum Donor by the Minnesota Waterfowl Association.
Terry Redlin was
born in 1937. He spent his childhood in Watertown, South Dakota.
He had always loved the out-doors and dreamed of becoming a
forest ranger. After graduating from High School he received
a state art scholarship and went on to earn a degree from the
St. Paul School of Associated Arts. After that he worked for
several decades as a commercial layout artist, a graphic designer,
an illustrator and an art director. However, he continued to
be interested in nature and learned as much as he could about
wildlife. He began painting in his spare time and published
his own work. He even handmade the mats and frames.
In 1977 Terry's
breakthrough came when "Winter Snows" appeared on
the cover of Farmers Magazine. Suddenly there was an increasing
demand for his work and in 1979 he decided to leave his art
directing career to concentrate on painting. In the late 1970's
Ray Johnson offered to distribute Redlin's work in his art gallery,
the Wooden Bird, which later became Hadley House. They now handle
all of Redlin's business including Limited Edition prints and
Limited Edition collectible plates.
Redlin had decided
from the beginning that he would concentrate on selling prints.
He did sell a few of his original oil paintings in the beginning
of his career, however, most of those originals have been recovered
and are now displayed in the Terry Redlin Art Museum in Watertown,
South Dakota.
His work gradually
evolved from wildlife scenes, to paintings of the countryside,
to scenes of early Americana. Some of his paintings recapture
his own youth in rural America. His work became so relevant
to American Heritage that he held the title of America's most
popular artist for eight years in a row from 1991-1998. He is
now semi-retired and only works for three months out of the
year, producing one painting a month from November through February.
Terry never forgot
his love for nature nor the people who helped him turn his dream
into a fulfilling career. He has donated millions of dollars
in art to nonprofit conservation organizations and after he
and his son constructed a museum to house his original oil paintings
he donated the museum to the State of South Dakota, in appreciation
for the art scholarship he received as a young man. The museum
includes a state tourism office, a 108-Seat amphitheater and
a state of the art teleconferencing center as well as over 150
of his original paintings.
You can visit the
Terry Redlin Art Center and Museum located at the junction of
US Highway 212 and Interstate 29 in Watertown, South Dakota.
Admission is free. For More Information, Call Toll Free 1-877-873-3546.