| Local News Coverage... Redlin's New Art Series and Unveiling Event... |
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Watertown Public Opinion Article...Monday, August 9, 2004
Thousands Gather for Redlin Event... By Wayne Hammond and Terry O'Keefe, Public Opinion Staff Writers The Carlsons, of Marshall, Minn, were among hundreds of Redlin fans who converged on Watertown Saturday as the noted artist unveiled his latest works, the series "An American Portrait." The time, they said, went by quickly as they became fast friends with a group that came a considerably much further distance, Alice Brown and Krystin Martin of Florence, Mississippi. "We became a family," Carolyn said. The Carlsons arrived at 8 a.m. Saturday and were quickly joined by Brown and Martin. They said the line really began to emerge at 10 a.m. in anticipation of the 4 p.m. signing, by which time the line had wound its way completely around the second floor of the Redlin Art Center. Shortly after it began, the overflow reached to the first floor. Jim and Becky Meinert made the trek from Sleepy Eye, Minn., with a detour in Brandon, S.D. to pick up 2 1/2 year old grandson Hunter. The Meinerts weren't just interested in getting an autograph, they also planned on giving Redlin a gift: a photo of him and Hunter taken at a signing event the year before. Becky said the trip was a good diversion from a full summer of remodeling their home, which is filled with Redlin prints. "He keeps buying them and buying them," she said. The family planned an overnight stay on Saturday. They said finding a hotel room was a challenge, but that they were impressed by how Watertown merchants worked to help them find one when they called. "We were really thrilled to have the crowd we did," said Julie Ranum, executive director of the Redlin Art Center. "We had lines formed clear through the parking lot before we opened the doors Saturday. "On Sunday, we had about 600 people at the prayer service." The new series, based largely on the artist's own experiences growing up and those of his friend and brother-in-law Chuck Langenfeld, was designed as a series of "firsts," Redlin said. He called the 10-plus-year effort to create the series one of the greatest challenges of his career and dubbed the series a tribute to American military veterans and their families. Langenfeld was killed in Vietnam in 1968. The final painting of the series depicts his funeral, one of the most emotional of the series. Ranum said the impact the series had on those who viewed the paintings was evident as they moved through the line to have Redlin sign prints. "I was standing at the table with Terry and most people were clearly moved by it," Ranum said. "Many people thanked him for remembering those veterans and their families. "It's the remembrances of an American boy and his family and a very tragic ending. He (Redlin) is paying tribute to veterans through his art. It brought out a lot of emotions." Ranum said attendance estimates were incomplete as of this (Monday) morning, but said she spoke with people who came from across the country to attend the two days of events. A special free concert by Mannheim Steamroller was one of the highlights of the weekend Saturday night at the art center. Ranum said it was estimated about 8,000 people sat on the lawn of the art center and listened to the concert. "Mannheim Steamroller put on a magnificent show and Lew's Fireworks show was spectacular," she said. "We even had a couple get engaged during the fireworks. "That was pretty impressive - that someone planned such a special moment in their lives for this weekend at the art center." Ranum said nearly everything ran smoothly during the weekend, thanks to more than 60 volunteers who helped out along with city police and street crews that worked with parking. "We had people from all over the country who had come to Watertown specifically for this event," she said. "It was a wonderful weekend." Ranum said the events over the weekend amazed Redlin as he prepared to sign prints Saturday afternoon. "I told him the lines were stretching around the building and I think he was completely overwhelmed by it," she said. "He couldn't believe the crowd was lined up all around the building." |
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Watertown Public Opinion...Friday, August 6, 2004
Redlin Hosts Celebration to Unveil New Series By Terry O'Keefe, Public Opinion Staff Writer The new series of seven paintings will be unveiled during special ceremonies today (Saturday) at the Redlin Art Center in Watertown, the culmination of almost 12 years of work that very nearly never saw the light of day. In "An American Portrait," Redlin combines memories of his own childhood and that of his close friend and brother-in-law Chuck Langenfeld in a series he calls a tribute to America's military veterans and the families that nurtured them to adulthood. "Every painting is a series of 'firsts,'" Redlin told the Public Opinion. "'His First Friend' is one of my experiences of coming into town for the first grade. "I didn't want to, but my mother promised me a dog if I did." The first painting in the series depicts a woman with a young boy in the yard of an older home the family has just moved into - the boy getting to know his new best friend, the dog. Redlin said the series covers a 14-year period and although it leans heavily on his own experiences growing up, it also intertwines the lives of Langenfeld and others. Langenfeld was killed in Viet Nam, serving as a medic in 1968. "This is a tribute to him and all other veterans," said Redlin, whose own physical disability left him unable to serve in the military. "This depicts the hard-working American family and shows that some have the bad luck." This is the second series that Redlin has produced in his career and quite possibly the last. "This is something where (his son) Chuck and I sat down and hashed over the idea nearly 12 years ago," Redlin said. "It took 10 years for this and I just got it together. "It turned out to be a very hard project." It is also a project that came close to not being completed, he said. After starting the project, Redlin set it aside for a lengthy period of time, apparently unsure which direction the series would take. But an event that shook the world, also shook the artist out of his lethargy for the series. "I was on the tread mill at home Sept. 11," Redlin remembered. "When the first plane hit, I thought 'Oh, my.' When the second plane hit, I knew what was happening and I got so mad. "I went out and got these (paintings) back out and just went at it." There would be many long days in front of the easel, enough that Redlin's wife, Helene, decided toward the end of the project, enough was enough. Not having seen her husband in virtually months, she took a vacation to let him finish the project in complete privacy. "I was just driven," the artist said. "I painted 14 hours a day, 7 days a week until it was finished. "I just felt they had to be finished." For the fans of Terry Redlin who love his wildlife art and his homey, warm colored approach to painting, they won't be disappointed. The new paintings carry much of the same warmth and depictions of days gone by as his previous works. But, some of the work strays, perhaps, from the image of the painter, built over many years as one of America's most popular artists. The emotions the series evoke cause even Redlin to pause and question what people might think. "Although this is a series, each painting also stands alone," he said. "I'm curious to see how this is received." Today, although all the series originals will be on display at the art center, only the first two will be available in prints for people to buy. The rest will be released in prints over time. Although the new series is a deviation from his wildlife paintings, Redlin said it is just another aspect of artistic drive and portraying his vision of American life. "I didn't consider this a change in style," he said. "The hard part was recreating the 14-year period because it was all done from memory - no photos or anything. "These paintings are a tribute to all veterans and their families. The personal experiences that we all had is what they are about." |
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Classmate & Volunteer Reaction...
JoAnn Roti's e-mail of Monday, August 9 Also it was a chance for the Redlin's to thank the Mannhiem Steamroller's that performed in the evening...and that was so fantastic and the weather was perfect...and you feel like you are out there sitting on the lawn listening to the great music and you look out at all the gazebo's draped with the American Flags ...it was like an American dream. Then as the band played the Star Spangled Banner the fireworks began and it was so awesome...talk about the "bombs bursting in air" and we had a fireworks display like we have never had before... thanks to Lou Raderschadt (another Watertown native). Then in the a.m. there was a prayer service honoring Charles Langenfeld who was killed in Viet Nam and who the new series that Terry unvieled this weekend honored. There were two gentlemen that knew Charles in the service that came to speak at this memorial... and music by the Harmanizers Group of men was then followed by three skydivers delivering the American Flag right in front of us...so awesome. Then another day at the Redlin Center of viewing Terry's new series which is a story in pictures. The first time I viewed it and as Terry explained each picture I was brought to tears. People drove from all over the U. S. to come to this event. I was a volunteer and got to talk to alot of people and they were so excited to be able to meet Terry and have print or whatever signed by him. Most of all it was so well organized that it all went off without a glich and really put Watertown on the map. Many said that this was as great an event as anything they had seen in a big city. We also had a coffee at Past Times Cafe on Sat. a.m. and Milo Lines was there from Sac City Iowa and he brought us a bag of the popcorn that his company makes...thanks Milo. Also Ray Flanders was there from Calif, Joey Elaine Wolff, Joyce Berner. Mary Marquardt, Don Lortz, Jan Frandson, Marlys Fie, Marlys McGillvery , Don Tritz and myself... hope I didn't leave out anyone... well I have to go to a meeting so got to rush...excuse my mispellings and all that but I was so impressed with the weekend I just had to jot this note... notice the Redlin website...and also note Julie Ranum on the site as the one that organized the Redlin Weekend....it was perfect!!!!! They estimated about 8,000 were there Sat eve....and Terry signed many many items...One of the gentleman that spoke at the prayer service came from Chicago and I believe a member of a swat team...he said people were so freindly in Watertown and that he was not used to people just smiling and saying "Hi" and talking to him....he said it is just the opposite in Chicago....he would wonder what was wrong...so many were impressed with Watertown and the friendly people....also want to thank those who volunteered and those that offered but could not as the volunteer list was already filled up. ...and thanks so much for Terry and Helene for providing us with this event and their son Charles as he is a great promoter... |
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