Thank You To Redlin Art Center

A Very Big Thank You Redlin Art Center- Watertown, SD! Earlier this year we were proud and excited to receive an invitation from the Redlin Art Center to exhibit the original artwork from our Rescued Heroes Calendar series.  They offered to host an eight week exhibit that went from July 5th through August 31st.   They invited some of the dogs and owners from the past calendars allowing their visitors a chance to meet these wonderful dogs in person.  Continuing the ‘rescue theme’, they hosted weekend rescue events on the Redlin grounds as well as a “Bark for Life” fundraiser.  This allowed dogs to find homes and money to be raised to further rescue efforts. We were so thrilled to be part of this special summer at Redlin’s focusing on rescue.

“Veteran’s Wall” – One special wall flanked by American flags, had my new paintings of the service dogs of the Veterans I met last year and feature proudly in this year’s “Rescued Heroes- Veterans Edition” 2014 Calendar.  I was there on August 31st, the last day, signing our new calendar for visitors.  Also present that day were Yvonne and Larry and their therapy dog Toby from the 2013 calendar.  I cannot begin to tell you what a hit Toby was!

Many of my colleagues and friends from the art world made the trip from the Twin Cities to join us in a reception at the end of the day. It was a truly wonderful experience and one I will never forget.

Thanks to all of the calendar participants who went out to meet visitors at the Center during these special eight weeks!  Here is Hershey and owner Vicki, Hershey out front, Hershey with visitors, and McDuff with his owner Debra on their weekend. Janet and Keno also met visitors and of course here I am with Toby and his owner Larry.

(Left to right) Vicki and Hershey, Hershey out front of Redlins, Hershey and visitors, Deb and McDuff, Veterans Wall

Janet and Keno; Larry, Toby and Me

As most of you know Terry Redlin is one of the country’s most widely collected painters of wildlife and Americana.  But to me, he is much more. Terry was my mentor as I started my first job at Webb Publishing in St. Paul, MN, fresh out of art school.  I was hired as the in-house illustrator for Webb and Terry was art director to TWA Magazine and many others they published. We worked together on layouts and I often did illustrations for his publications- but it was his friendship I valued the most. While he was at Webb he started painting wildlife in his spare time and later quit to pursue it full time.  Terry’s use of dramatic lighting, mood, rich colors in his painting, and great style helped me to form my own techniques.

If you have never been to the Redlin Art Center, I would highly recommend it as it is a great place to visit.  I guarantee it is someplace you will love.  Admission is free to the public and it is located on 30 beautiful acres. The grounds have a mile of walking trails, 8 bridges, 6 small gazebos, and is perfect for picnicking.  Besides the Art Center, there is the Redlin Pavilion. This pavilion with its octagon structure houses eight images from his “America the Beautiful” series that are spectacular.  Inside the Redlin Art Center are three floors you can get lost in featuring 150 of his original paintings. Along with this there is an the Amphitheater with video presentations where Terry talks about his family’s history and his career.  There are also two great gift shops.

Thanks again to director Julie Ranum, the Redlin family, and everyone that helped to put this exhibit together and make it  a success.  And a special thank you to Julie’s welcoming staff that treated all of the calendar participants like celebrities.  For  more information about them, go to The Redlin Art Center.