WATERTOWN, SD - Terry Redlin, one of South Dakota’s most famous artists, has died after an extended battle with dementia, according to his longtime representative. He was 78.
Redlin was known for his lifelike paintings of animals in their natural habitat, outdoor scenes and wooded lakeside cabins.
Julie Ranum, the executive director of the Redlin Art Center, called Redlin “incredibly kind and generous.”
“He’s been a privilege to represent for the last 20 years,” Ranum said.
There was no immediate word on services.
Redlin, who retired in 2007, sold more than a half million prints. The Redlin Art Center in Watertown opened in 1997.
From 1990 to 1999, through a poll of 500 national galleries, U.S. Art Magazine named Redlin "America's Most Popular Artist."
"We have welcomed millions of people throughout the art center, which is his gift back to his hometown," said Julie Ranum, the center's executive director. "We know that his art has touched millions. It's a terrible loss, but he has shared a great gift with all of us by leaving this incredible collection of art."
Redlin's artwork has a permanent home in his hometown. The Redlin Art Center opened June 6, 1997, after his son, Charles, encouraged him to stop selling his original paintings so they could be displayed in an art center.
Redlin chose Watertown as the location, saying he wanted to repay the state for the $1,500 scholarship he was given toward his educaiton at the St. Paul School of Associated Arts in Minnesota.
The scholarship was designated for a student with disabilities, and Redlin qualified because he lost his leg at age 15 when a drunken driver struck the motorcycle he was a passenger on. Without the scholarship money, Redlin would not have been able to attend college.
“Terry Redlin wanted that on display, not because he’s overly proud of that work, but because he wanted to show people that everyone starts somewhere, and if your work is all yours, never copied, and it’s the best you can do at the time, it’s good enough,” Ranum told the Argus Leader in 2014.
In the 1990s he was named American's most popular artist in annual gallery surveys conducted by U.S. Art magazine.
Over 17 years, his art donations to Ducks Unlimited raised more than $28 million for wetlands projects.
WATERTOWN, S.D. -- Nationally acclaimed nature and Americana artist Terry Redlin died Sunday at age 78 after a nine-year battle with dementia, the executive director of his art center said.
Redlin, who retired in 2007, sold more than a half million prints. The Redlin Art Center in Watertown opened in 1997.
From 1990 to 1999, through a poll of 500 national galleries, U.S. Art Magazine named Redlin "America's Most Popular Artist."
"We have welcomed millions of people throughout the art center, which is his gift back to his hometown," said Julie Ranum, the center's executive director. "We know that his art has touched millions. It's a terrible loss, but he has shared a great gift with all of us by leaving this incredible collection of art."
