Terry Redlin: His Life, Legacy & Unfinished Art

Born and raised in Watertown, Terry Redlin was one of South Dakota’s most prolific artists. With more than 170 original paintings on display in his hometown at the Redlin Art Center, he captured the heart and soul of rural America through warm, evocative oil paintings. Learn about Redlin’s lasting legacy and a new exhibit featuring his unfinished works.

Who Was Terry Redlin? His Watertown Beginnings.

Redlin's journey began in 1937 at the end of the Great Depression, growing up on a farm in South Dakota. As a young man, he initially dreamed of becoming a forest ranger. However, after that dream was cut short due to a motorcycle accident, Redlin pivoted to his deep love of art and nature.

He attended art school on a scholarship for students with disabilities, which launched a successful initial career as a commercial artist and illustrator. During this time, he was fortunate to have access to study works by the famous American artist Norman Rockwell, an experience that helped shape his approach to visual storytelling.

America’s Most Popular Artist

With a vow to become a wildlife artist, Redlin spent years devoted to studying nature. He routinely headed out to cornfields at dawn and dusk just to study the shifting light. After selling his first print for just $10 in the 1970s, Redlin leveraged that early commercial success to launch his career as a full-time artist.

Known for creating paintings inspired by the world around him, Redlin spent hours observing the sky or talking with local farmers to capture authentic rural life. Eventually, his original paintings sold for $50,000 to $75,000. He later stopped selling them entirely, saving them to be showcased in what is today the Redlin Art Center.

A Lasting Legacy 

When asked about retirement, Redlin would famously say, “To me, painting is like breathing.” Tragically, that changed in 2007 when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. At the time, Terry had over 50 paintings in the works. When Redlin passed away at age 78 in 2016, then South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard noted that Redlin’s work “brought to life our fondest memories of our state’s outdoor heritage and rural roots.” Flags were ordered to be flown at half-staff on the day of his funeral, and an elementary school in Sioux Falls was later named in his honor.

The Studio Collection: Redlin’s Unfinished Art Lives On

Today, travelers can immerse themselves in Redlin’s world at the Redlin Art Center — a magnificent gift from Redlin to his hometown — through both completed and unfinished art in a new exhibit.

The Unfinished Art Exhibit invites guests to take a special journey through the making of a Terry Redlin painting. It showcases everything from initial drawings in pencil to softly painted skies and full-color works left close to completion in the artist’s home studio. For the first time, fans and collectors will be able to see Terry’s exact creative process. Originally opened to coincide with the 10th anniversary of Terry Redlin’s passing, the collection will remain on permanent display. These unfinished works of art are Redlin’s last gift to art lovers and the state of South Dakota

Visitors can experience the exhibit and Redlin’s other famous works year-round at the Redlin Art Center in Watertown. Summer hours (from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend) are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Mon.-Fri.), 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. (Sat.), and noon to 5 p.m. (Sun.). Fall and winter hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Mon.-Fri.), 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. (Sat.) and closed on Sundays. Admission is free.

Discover the stories behind the brushstrokes — plan your visit today.