Saddle Up for Emotion in Vibrant Paintings

Health problems with devastating circumstances led to an awakening for an artist who's work is set to be on display at in Saddle Up: The Western World of Harry Teague.

They could have crippled Harry Teague forever, but following multiple strokes and a heart attack in the early 1990's, he began to put his emotion on canvas through vibrant paintings.

An exhibit of his work, Saddle Up: The Western World of Harry Teague, is set for display from May 15 to Sept. 2 in the museum's Borderlands Gallery.

“Though he never showed interest in art before, Harry Teague developed a unique talent which helped him cope with his inability to read or articulate after his strokes,” the Booth's Executive Director Seth Hopkins said in a press release.

“It is impossible for us to know exactly what occurred in his mind after the traumatizing events he experienced, but he undoubtedly awoke a part of him that was not known before. His work, which is considered folk art, became an outlet for him and speaks to people of all walks of life. I believe visitors both young and old to Booth Museum will find something that appeal to them in the exhibit.”

Teague’s paintings feature whimsical characters and a variety of color juxtapositions.

"With a very unique and distinguishable style, one may believe that Teague must have been artistic his entire life. On the contrary, he was a successful salesman for most of his career having also owned two restaurants, a gift shop and a smokehouse in Gatlinburg, TN, with his wife Diannia," according to the release. "He was in the midst of developing a subdivision outside of Gatlinburg when a series of strokes and a heart attack changed his life forever.

"It was through the encouragement of Diannia that Teague began to paint as an outlet to express himself. In 10 years, he painted more than 1,300 paintings. His work has been recognized throughout the Southeast and as far away as New York, Colorado and Oklahoma. Additionally, Teague’s art received the Distinguished Merit of Best of Show six times from Georgia Artists Disabilities, Inc."

The Booth invites the public to Art for Lunch on Wednesday, June 6, for Teague’s widow Diannia's descriptions of Harry’s life and the medical journey that led him to paint as part of his therapy.

Dr. Diana Gregory, a associate professor and art therapist, is set to discuss brain trauma and how art therapy can help the individual express themselves visually.

Art for Lunch begins at 12:15 p.m. in the Booth Ballroom and is free for Booth members and included with regular admission for not-yet members. 

For more information on Saddle Up: The Western World of Harry Teague, call 770-387-1300 or visit www.boothmuseum.org.