Introduction
When I was young, I used to look at the wall hangings in my father’s house to get some inspiration. I could not imagine how someone could dedicate his time to come up with such articulate artworks that captured my attention every time I was in the living room. Having noticed my interest, my father took his time and explained to me that Terry Redlin was the man behind all those pieces of artwork.
As I grew up, I continued inquiring about Terry Redlin, and my father took me to the Redlin Art Centre. I have to admit that ever since then; I have always gained my inspiration from the artworks that I saw at the center. Moreover, Terry Redlin’s story on how he became an artist is so insinuating.
Redlin and a breakthrough in artistic career
Terry Redlin never intended to become an artist because he dreamt of becoming a forest ranger. However, he was involved in a motorcycle accident and his dreams were terminated. Redlin reconsidered his dreams, and he discovered that artwork would still enable him to express his love for outdoor themes. He joined St. Paul School of Arts to pursue a degree in graphic arts. After college, Redlin struggled for 25 years as a commercial artist.
He could illustrate and design graphics, and at one point, he acted as an art director. From his directing career, Redlin narrowed down his activities to concentrate on painting wildlife. Luckily enough, Redlin had a breakthrough in his art career when the authors of the farmer magazine chose his “winter Snows” painting to appear on the front cover of their magazine. At that time, Redlin was 40 years old.
Redlin’s story inspires me because of the reserved beginning that he had. The motorcycle accident scenario inspires me greatly, and I always conclude that everything that happens in one’s life happens for a reason. Indeed, if Redlin was not involved in the accident, he could not have become one of the famous American artists. Secondly, the fact that Redlin spends 25 years working in commercial art before he could obtain a breakthrough is so inspiring.
Lately, many young people are very impatient; they want to achieve great things immediately after they leave college. Redlin made it at the age of 40 when he comfortably stopped working as a commercial artist to work as a painter. The demand for his work increased since the 1980s and he earned several awards and honors thereafter. Currently, his paintings and images are found in churches, homes, museums, and many restaurants around the globe.
Redlin’s paintings are highly valued, and their exact costs depend on the title, framing, whether they are signed or not, or whether the paintings are open to editions. The fact that it does not matter how long one would fight before obtaining a breakthrough inspires me.
Conclusion
If Redlin made it at the age of 40, I believe that everyone in the world will have a breakthrough at one time in life. Redlin has been my role model, and I believe that I will also make a great artist in the future. People should find inspirations from persons who have greatly succeeded within their career line. An inspirational person enables one to work hard and have determination despite the discouragements from peers.
The best way I can share my inspiration to the world is by narrating the achievements that I have made because of Redlin’s inspirations. With time, I have improved my artwork, and I have won several awards. I believe that by the age of 40, I will be one of the greatest artists in the world.