‘WHAT WAS, WHAT IS AND WHATEVER SHALL BE’
Reflections of Hurricane Helene
 
Cristy Dunn, Director of Johnson County Center for the Arts, like everyone affected by Hurricane Helene, deeply felt the pain of so much damage to the mountains we call home and most of all the people. She had the vision to offer an art show in May 2025 to give an opportunity for artists to express some of what was in their hearts and for the community and beyond to process and heal from all that has changed. 

We have had flooding and a couple of tornadoes in our area but nothing compared to the devastation of Helene. Six months after and people are still cleaning up, finding homes and roads, grieving losses of lives, homes and places that are forever changed.


I think everyone in the South and even farther reaching has a story to tell. You may have been affected personally, your friends and family had damage or just seeing people hurting and struggling has touched your heart. I hope you will share some art and share your story. Here is mine…

September 27, 2024 was my dad’s birthday. As I remembered him on that early morning, the storm, never to be forgotten, was heading towards our mountains. Our granddaughter called and was frightened but safe. We set out to get her and bring her to our house and were blocked in by a large fallen tree. We were able to reach her again by phone and she was in her basement and ok. We got back to our house in time to watch tops twist out of large trees, massive wind and rain as we headed to our own basement. Through a window, we watched trees falling beside our house and the constant cracking of trees breaking off and the thud of them hitting the ground. It was very scary and of course, we were worried about everyone else. 

After the storm passed, we were able to contact some of our family and they were alright. It was later before we were able to get a message from my brother, Darren, to tell me that my mom and family in Elk Mills were ok, they were just trapped..for days. They had no electricity, no bridges and roads were impassable. When my sister Marie and her husband Jerry were finally able to cut their way to walk out, the devastation was unbelievable. The Fire Department was gone, the little store where I lived as a child, gone, our childhood church was flooded, cars were in trees, the local store and gas station were irreparable. I can only imagine the grief they felt.

 At this point, people were still missing and houses were being washed into the nearby lake. Many people came to help. My sons Kenny, John and his family, fire department members, medical teams and so many neighbors and groups from different states came to help. My brother, Earnie had a medical emergency during this time and they were able to treat him and get him help. Months without electricity and traveling unsafe roads to get to doctors and grocery stores made for a challenging time for them. Six months later and the store has been torn down, emergency help has left and many roads are still impassable. Only neighbors have worked on the road where my Mom lives and a group of volunteers built a bridge for them. They have been courageous, strong, took care of each other and have been grateful even through the devastation.

Back at our home, after the storm passed, we worked to clear about two feet of limbs and leaves from our driveway, cut out one tree that blocked us in and  we were finally able to get out and check on our neighborhood and our farm. Trees were down all over and some were on fences at the farm. We worked to clear fences temporarily as best we could and all the cows were accounted for, except one. The wind and possibility of more trees falling made it dangerous to stay so we returned home. 

The next day, we returned to the farm and I walked over fields and around fallen trees and found the missing ‘teenage bull calf’. He was still alive and Mike managed to get the tractor to the back field and pull the tree off of him to find a large limb had pierced his side. We called the veterinarian but because he was busy with farmers who had lost cattle and roads were impassable, it would be a while before he could come. We did what we could but Speck didn’t make it. We only had one cow out of 30 that we ‘petted’ and named and it was ‘Spot’. There were some plans for our granddaughter to show her in 4-H so I had worked with her some. She had a first calf and it wouldn’t eat so we bottle fed him. Grandkids bottle fed him also. He finally started eating and Mom ‘Spot’ took great care of him and he grew up strong and healthy..this was her baby, Speck. She was sad. We heard of farmers losing several cattle, fences, barns and so much of their land. We felt grateful that we had no more damage than we did.
​
During this time, the Center for the Arts was not damaged at all and we were in the process of a Plein Air Show Opening. We decided to go forward since the show was about our county and it's beautiful cultural heritage places.  People had come from Knoxville, Gatlinburg, Abingdon and other places to paint only days before the hurricane. Cristy, Lewis, myself and others worked to get the show judged and online and it ended up being a great blessing. Lori McNee judged the adult competition from Idaho while my internet capability was very limited to send everything to her. She was great to help us and we are forever grateful. People came to the Art Center to use the internet and get some encouragement and other needs met. Arrowmont and Trudy Hughes sent things for children and we had water and lots of support for our community. People were so kind and caring.

So many roads were closed and are still closed six months later. Companies have worked around the clock to build back roads and bridges and have done a great job. Neighbors have helped neighbors everywhere. 

Our children and grandchildren were all ok with very little damage but my granddaughter, Lillian’s high school was flooded and closed permanently. They will never forget the scene of their school under raging waters. They weren’t even able to get back into the school to get their belongings. Many of them had damage at their homes as well. They temporarily moved the school to an older school building that had been used for county offices and are trying to continue learning as best they can. 

In the same area of Hampton in Carter County, TN the streets and roads were under water. My daughter-in-law April’s Mamaw’s house was vacant but in that flooded area. She and my son, John and volunteers tore the house down during Helene cleanup. They were able to save some shingles and boards for their home as well as many memories. Like many old homeplaces, it was dear to their hearts. They worked in their neighborhood and beyond, taking food, water and necessities and invited people to stay at their home during this time.

Many things deeply touched my heart during Helene and we still see damage everyday but this old home place was what I chose to paint for my entry in…
What Was, What Is and Whatever Shall Be. It was painted in oils on 18 x 24 linen in a course by a Tennessee girl who helped others during and after Helene, Kathie Odom.
You will see my style combined with her unique style in this work. I used a reference photo from April Andrews.
I hope "Mamaw's House" Is a blessing to you.

My prayers for you and everyone continue, especially for those who have lost loved ones, still have someone missing and are struggling to get back to normal. 

“Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.” Isaiah 40:31

Many blessings to you,
Temple

On a very positive update, it seems that Hampton High School is going to be opened by mid school year in 2026 and the 321 road is scheduled to open soon.  Many local businesses and farms are running smoother and so much cleanup has taken place. There is still damage to be seen in all parts of Johnson County and surrounding areas and I think it has made everyone a little scared every time the wind gets bad. It has also caused us to be more grateful, strong and resilient.
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​On the fourth day, God created the sun, the moon and the stars.
​Genesis 1
This painting had not been shared yet as it was very personal and from a deep study and reflection prompted by my son, Kenny. He asked me to do paintings of all the 7 days of creation and God's rest.
I have read the passages detailing the creation so many times, taught it in children's and teens classes and have always been in awe. It wasn't until I studied it from an artist's perspective that I totally grasped the magnificent awe of God. I ended up doing sketches in black and white and writing the verses. I saw each day in a whole new way, almost more that I could fathom. I did a painting in oils representing Day 4.  It in no way is it a true or perfect likeness but a picture I could see in my head. I am grateful for all of creation, all I can see, hear and experience and I only know a small part. I enjoy and cherish it everyday.
I gave the painting and the notes and sketches to my son in 2023 and I'm glad he reads, studies and appreciates God's word and his world.
You might enjoy doing this yourself. It doesn't really matter what art you come up with, it matters that you learn and grow closer to God.
Have a happy day!
Temple

If you aren't familiar with God's Creation, Genesis Chapter One tells the story:
In the beginning...
Day 1: God created light
Day 2: The Sky
Day 3: Dry land, seas, plants and trees
Day 4: The sun. the moon and the stars
Day 5: Creatures in the sea and creatures that fly
Day 6:Animals that live on the land- Man- in the image of God, Male and female
Day 7: God saw everything that he had made and it was very good. He rested.
​

Building Your Nest...our very first video lesson for the Center for the Arts...a blessing to me already.
I had the honor of working with my grandson Fields and granddaughter Lillian to make the video. Their Mom, April did a video of them painting with me. Cristy Dunn with her magnificent media skills used these video clips to begin this project. She had me paint a painting while she did a video...painting in front of Cristy Dunn...yikes! She is such a great artist. She put all that together and we then did a voice over for more detailed instruction.
We both learned a lot from this project and have plans for more exciting ventures in the near future.
Cristy started a group on our fb page so people could share their nests. It has been wonderful so far and can't wait to see what happens next. If you haven't already painted a nest...now is a great time!

This New Year has found my focus on the mountains that I dearly love. Mike and I  saw some beautiful sites on the Blue Ridge Parkway this fall and the mountains are always beautiful where we live everyday. I did a little hike up to Rough Ridge on one of the trips and it touched my heart deeply. I did a painting for Cristy Dunn's birthday and one for the Center of the Art's Heart of the Mountain Show "Resilience" coming in February.
I wrote this for her and me and anyone who finds it to be true...

Resilience, the Heart of the Mountains

 The Ascent-The journey up is challenging and rocky. It requires strength and determination. There is a level of excitement, anticipation and wonder. The adventure is wonderful and a beautiful pathway to hold in your heart always. It gives you strength and builds your confidence.

The Summit- The mountain top is beautiful, awe inspiring and nourishment for the soul. There is a feeling of victory, accomplishment and renewed strength. The beauty and sense of awe are yours to own forever in memory and in your heart.

The Descent-The journey down is difficult, rocky and holds the danger of falling. It requires strength, stability and the use of knowledge and wisdom gained along the pathways traveled in the past. The journey down has much beauty to behold and is a time to take pleasure in the moments and enjoy the beauty. This pathway is a sacred place to hold in your heart forever.

The Vale-the bottom of the mountain, the foundation and home is a place to relish in the growth you have made, beauty you have seen, the strength that has grown inside you, the renewed zest for life and optimism and the level of confidence you have attained. It is a place of renewal, strength, faith, hope and joy. It is not the end of your journey but is truly the beginning.
 Temple Reece
2019
 
After writing this and giving it to Cristy, I was thinking about the "little rock church in the vale" where I grew up in Elk Mills. ( You will see it in my paintings slideshow) I saw a fb post the same day by Kelley St Germain about "going to Church"..he was on White Top Mountain...Amen.
The wonderful thing is that God is just as close to us in the Vale as he is on
the Mountain Tops.

The mural was unveiled on September 1, 2018. It was a very special day! Cristy Dunn and I unveiled the mural as we have the first four. Mike, my husband was there to cheer me on as well as my son and his family and friends. Stephen Long did a great job leading the events of the day. Authors of "The Lopsided 3" and "The Ramblers" were there. Evelyn Cook spoke, Danny Meadows played bagpipes and the JAM kids played as well as our own Long Journey Home group of Stephen, Lois Dunn, Jerry Moses, Kyman Matherly and Kenny Price and friends. 
Our theme song of "Cloudy in the West and it looks like rain" was very fitting for the day but Andrew Matherly was there to help me unveil my side of the mural and he knew all along that the rain was going around us...and it did. My granddaughter was also standing there with me to pull the cord and let the cover fall to unveil the Lopsided 3. It was a day I will never forget.
The mural is an honor to our musical heritage and all the history of trains in Johnson County and nearby. I hope you will enjoy it! I loved painting it!

I have been working diligently on a train painting to be used as the reference for this year's Long Journey Home Mural. I have been chosen by Cristy Dunn and the committee to do it. It is a great challenge to paint something that will be comparable to the work Cristy has done on the first 3 murals and the group project of the last one.  
There is so much to learn and it is so exciting to find out about our not-too-distant history when the trains were a big part of life in Johnson County...and the music that followed...amazing! I look forward to sharing this with those who will enjoy it and to all the new people and experiences that this project brings. It is already happening!
It will be great for us and generations to come!
​I am thankful for the opportunity and will do my very best to make it something we can all enjoy and take pride in.

   It was an honor to be asked by the Center for the Arts Board to do the painting for the very first Collector's Edition ornament. The focus of this year's Long Journey Home is the Fiddlers Convention and Old Mill Music Park is the chosen subject.
Proceeds from the ornaments will go to the Center for the Arts and the painting will be donated for the Heritage Hall benefit for the Center for the Arts.
Hope you like it!...and it does well to support our Art Center!
Each year we will have a new painting and ornament.

You know I love door knobs... and all the hardware that goes with them. Keys, frames, the screws, old doors...and more. This is a charcoal with some gold paint added after it was completed to add a metallic antique finish. 
​It's good to know as an artist, that you can use any medium, any tool, any idea and it is OK ...it is art...your art! Use YOUR creativity and make the art that is in your head! Enjoy!

Check out the new Long Journey Home Recognition Mural at the ticket entrance area to Heritage Hall in the Johnson County Adm Building. 
Art work by Temple Reece
Vinyl lettering by April Andrews...Skye-Fields Designs
Framing by Final Touch
Panel donated by Big Johns

I appreciate everyone who helped with this and Stephen Long and Mischelle Simcox for providing a space for the mural to "live".

Thanks to all who work to make LJH such a success!!!