Terry Redlin, a Watertown, S.D., artist who began his career illustrating covers of The Farmer and later the Dakota Farmer magazines in the 1970s and 1980s, has died.

The Argus Leader reports that Redlin, 78, died on Sunday. He had been suffering from dementia.

"His first big break came when his painting ‘Winter Snows’ appeared on the cover of The Farmer magazine in 1997,” the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Print orders started slowly then byers began insatiable.

"It took off like helter skelter," Helene Redlin said. "All of the gallteries in the Twin Cities wanted more, more. I was the only salesman."

"And Crown Thy Good w/Brotherhood" by Terry Redlein, 1990, is a good example of his work.

Redlin became one of the most famous artists produced by South Dakota with his lifelike paintings of animals in their natural habitat, outdoor scenes and wooded lakeside cabins, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader reported.

"He painted scenes everyone wanted to be at," said Larry Rehfeld, the owner of Rehfeld's Art and Framing in Sioux Falls.

In a statement, South Dakota Gov. Dennis Duagaard said the state's flags would fly at half staff on the day of Redlin's funeral.

"Terry Redlin was an iconic South Dakota artist. For many South Dakotans, Terry’s work brought to life our fondest memories of our state’s outdoor heritage and rural roots. He has left a legacy in Watertown and throughout the nation, and Linda and I extend our deepest sympathies to the Redlin family."

See a catalog of his work at the Redlin Art Center in Watertown. the website is  https://www.redlinart.com/