Beginning January 22, the Booth Western Art Museum will be showcasing a special collection of work by sculpture artist T.D. Kelsey, alongside the paintings of his wife, Julie Oriet, in the exhibition Friends Reunited: T.D. Kelsey, Julie Oriet and the Keough Collection. Courtesy of the Donald and Marilyn Keough Foundation, there will be 12 of Kelsey’s iconic Western and African subjects. 
T.D. Kelsey, Line Dance, 2007, bronze, 33 x 14 x 27.” Booth Western Art Museum permanent collection. Gift of Donald and Marilyn Keough Foundation.
Donald Keough, president of Coca-Cola and Paramount Studios, famously known for his role in bringing back the original Coca-Cola formula, was quite the fan and collector of Kelsey’s work over the years. “The Keough family foundation contacted us and wanted to donate the collection of Kelsey’s work to the museum,” says Booth executive director Seth Hopkins. “We thought it would be great to put a show together to thank the family, and Kelsey and Oriet just got married (in 2020). We thought it was a great way to highlight that and showcase both of their talents.”
The title of the show Friends Reunited, references Kelsey reuniting with his works that had been displayed in Atlanta offices for many years, where the Keough family conducted business.
T.D. Kelsey, Fly Fishin’, 1998, bronze, 27 x 15½ x 17.” Booth Western Art Museum permanent collection. Gift of Donald and Marilyn Keough Foundation.
While Kelsey had a successful first career as a commercial pilot for United Airlines, his upbringing on a ranch near Bozeman, Montana, and history as a rodeo cowboy inspired his interest in the American West. His extensive travels and the maintaining of his own Texas ranch, led to a concern for wildlife conservation and influenced a body of work that also includes African wildlife.
Works like Line Dance, depicting cowboys climbing down a hill on horseback, illustrates Kelsey’s talents and passion for the Western lifestyle, along with his infamous “loose” style. “I just love the impressionistic, rough texture of Kelsey’s work,” adds Hopkins. “He provides the illusion of detail, or the editing out of detail, but leaves the form, motion and texture that gives you the sense of the animal in his wildlife pieces in particular. His cowboy pieces are allegorical and tell the story of being a Renaissance man that has seen a lot, especially the works that deal with adversity, like when a cowboy is getting bucked off. They reflect Kelsey’s life and his own experiences.”
Julie Oriet, Blessings of the Beasts, 2016, pastel on paper, 18 x 14.” Collection of the artist.
Hopkins also notes that including Julie Oriet’s wildlife and landscape paintings in the exhibition help to complement both artists’ work. “Her style is somewhat loose as well,” Hopkins explains, “and there’s a nice harmony. Their art goes together as much as they do as people.”
Oriet’s work reflects her love of wide-open spaces and big skies, and subjects from her travels, while remaining dedicated to scenes of the American West. This can be seen in pieces like Early Risers and Streak of Light. Both works are newly created just for the Booth show. A slightly older piece, Blessings of the Beasts, is a favorite of Hopkins and will also be on display. 
Julie Oriet, Early Risers, 2021, oil on linen, 16 x 20.” Collection of the artist.
“I just love the scale of the animals (cows or buffalo), and the size of the sky relative to the scene,” says Hopkins. “It gives you the sense of how big the West is and how big creation as a whole is compared to us. I’m a big fan of this message.”
By the closing of the show on May 15, Hopkins hopes that viewers will form a deeper appreciation for the unique, loose style of Kelsey’s sculptures. Many will also experience the wonder and enchantment of the West through the eyes of both these talented artists. —
Friends Reunited: T. D. Kelsey, Julie Oriet and the Keough Collection
January 22-May 15, 2022
Booth Western Art Museum, 501 N. Museum Drive, Cartersville, GA 30120
(770) 387-1300, www.boothmuseum.org
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