"I believe in loving life and living it to its fullest; sharing the blessings, strengths and talents that are uniquely my own and supporting others to do the same. I work primarily in oils en plein air and in studio with a focus on my East Tennessee home, the beautiful mountains, people and heritage. My style is realism with a touch of painterly impressionism. My theme is "Paintings From the Heart." I am a member of Oil Painters of America, American Impressionist Society , American Women Artists and National Oil and Acrylic Painter's Society and have my work in the homes and businesses of many. My acrylic work can be seen in murals on the Musical Heritage Mural Mile and the Artists and Old Crows Scavenger Hunt in Johnson County, TN. Art brings me joy and is a way of life for me. ~Temple Reeece
Artist's bio...
- Art has been a part of Temple's life since childhood. It enriches her days and gives her the opportunity to express in her own way, the beauty of life. Whether in her studio, en plein air or in the community of the beautiful East Tennessee Appalachian mountains, art is always inside her heart . Temple is the Assistant Director for the Johnson County Center for the Arts and a member of Oil Painters of America, American Women Artists, American Impressionistic Society, National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, Tennesseans for the Arts, Preserving a Picturesque America, Johnson County Arts Council, Johnson County Chamber of Commerce and the Johnson County Center for the Arts Heritage Club. She is one of the original Committee Members of the Long Journey Home Yearly Musical Heritage Festival and was one of the first Artists in Residence at the Johnson County Center for the Arts December -March, 2022. She had the pleasure of painting a mural of the Lopsided 3 train that ran in Johnson County for the 2018 Long Journey Home Musical Heritage Tour, was one of the artists to paint the 1925 Fiddler's Convention Community Mural led by Artist Cristy Dunn, worked with artists to paint "Legacies" 2019 murals and led a Grief Workshop to complete a "Music of the Mountains Mural " for 2020. She worked with artists Cristy Dunn and Lewis Chapman to paint the mural "A Day in the Life of a Song" for the Musical Mural Mile 2020 and worked with artist Cristy Dunn to create the "I'll Fly Away" interactive mural in Mountain City, TN in 2021. She worked with other artists and created a mural for the "Artists and Old Crows Scavenger Hunt" in Heritage Square of downtown Mountain City, TN. Painting these murals has been a source of great joy for her. Most recently , being a featured artist in the Martin House Gallery's Blowing Rock Women's Show was a tremendous blessing and just unveiling a new mural as part of a community workshop that she led with artist Ctisty Dunn for the Musical Heritage Mural Mural Mile for 2023 was a quite an honor. Temple has her art work in many homes and businesses including the Mammography Center, Chapel and Corridors of Johnson County Community Hospital, a permanent piece in the Johnson County Library commissioned in memory of B.K. Mount, a Laurel Bloomery painting at the Johnson County Art Center purchased by the Johnson County Music Club and art on display at Johnson County Bank. She was featured in the community show "Embracing Authenticity in 2022 and the "l'll Fly Away " show in 2021 and was the solo featured artist with the show "Stillness" in August 2022 at Johnson County Center for the Arts. She participated in the show "Plein Air in the Mountains" and won 2nd place award for "Laurel Creek-The Perfect Day " and Honorable Mention for "Fiddlin Fred" in the Inaugural Cultural Heritage Plein Air Event by Johnson County Center for the Arts. An article in outdoorpainter.com by PleinAir Magazine on October 2022 featured the awards and the event. She completed a series entitled "My Favorite Places" which shares the beauty and heritage of Johnson County in 2021/22 and created a booklet showcasing the works, people and areas represented. The people and places of East Tennessee and our Appalachian Heritage are very important for her to capture and share. Temple developed an Artist with Heart Award in 2022 to honor a local adult and student artist each year in memory of her friend, Nann. For many years, she has taught classes and provided art supplies to children through her signature project, the Sunshine and Smiles Program and worked with Johnson County Arts Council to provide scholarships to graduating seniors and many other projects. Children's art and supporting other artists have always been very important to her. When she's not painting, Temple enjoys time with her husband, Mike, grand kids and family, yoga, walking, farming and Church. She is retired from a career in customer service at Johnson County Bank, a State of TN Licensed and Nationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Certified Criminal Justice Specialist and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and State of TN Licensed PreNeed Agent.
~Other Art Awards and honors : 3rd place Best in Show at the Long Journey Home Art Show in 2016 and 2017, a Chamber of Commerce Award, Danny Herman Traveler's Award, an Ed Cook Memorial Award as well as a People's Choice Award for her paintings; was a featured artist of the JCAC Art in the Garden and have placed 1st and 2nd in Johnson County Art Shows and was chosen to paint an ornament for TN First Lady Haslam for the TN Residence. Her work was featured in the Johnson County Community Hospital Foundation's Book of the Heart and featured in several Tomahawk newspaper articles. Several entries accepted in the PleinAir Salon by PleinAir Magazine. ~Community Awards and Honors: Recipient of the Rotary Club Volunteer of the Year Award, the Johnson County Chamber of Commerce Mary Ahrends Volunteer of the Year Award and the Civitan of the Year Award. Past President of many organizations such as Kiwanis, Civitan, Positive Thinkers Women's Civic Club, Johnson County Arts Council and the Johnson County Community Hospital Foundation and has been a board member of Heritage Hall Theatre, United Way of Johnson County and Relay for Life among others; served as Chair of the Taste of the Mountains event for the Johnson County Community Hospital Foundation and served two terms as Board Chair. She enjoyed organizing several runs to help those fighting cancer. Community enrichment, supporting other artists and the arts and giving back have always been an important part of her life.
Proud Member of
Johnson County
Chamber of Commerce
Working with children in Sunshine & Smiles is a blessing to me
...and I love doing Art & Renewal Classes!
...and Murals!
"When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or the life of another." -Helen Keller
"Temple supports other artists and the Arts and serves our community in countless ways. She leads our Sunshine and Smiles Program (teaching and providing art supplies) for children. Temple has been part of bringing to life numerous murals in Mountain City including her solo piece, "The Lopsided 3" train that once ran in Johnson County. The many organizations in which she has played an important role in developing and leading are indicative of her love and commitment to God, family and community. Her role as Assistant Director is immeasurable . " ~Johnson County Center for the Arts