Gallery of Paintings and Poetry

"The Village Church" oil on 16x20 linen panel

The Village Church

It’s a village church with a big heart - It’s a welcoming haven to all

It’s the Lord’s house – where we hear God’s word - It’s where we respond to the Lord’s call

His call to live his message of love - His call to share that love with others

To help the hurting - serve the needy - See each one as sister and brother

God, through Jesus, gave mercy to all - In gratitude, we now seek his face

Praise the Lord! Our sins are forgiven – And it is our turn to extend grace

We follow our God who commands faith - Yes, faith as small as a mustard seed

Can grow and flourish and change our lives - As we respond to each other’s needs

We pray God anoints our village church - May its ministry and favor grow

Through this church nestled in Leiper’s Fork, may God’s blessings and love always flow

Mary Carol Johnston

August 2019

Hillsboro United Methodist Church

Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee

He Planted Wildflowers for Me

He planted wildflowers for me

Sowing them above the rock wall

As I pass them on my travels

Their bright colors greet and enthrall

Purples and reds mixed among greens

Yellows and golds growing with ease

Pinks in assorted shapes and heights

Butterflies flitting in the breeze

Flowers tell their own true story

“Flourish and blossom, seeking child

Bask in the sun, love each other

And always encourage the wild”

~mcsj, 2019~

Let’s Do the Twist

Deep inside the Great Smokey Mountains

Right beside a winding country lane

There flows the Little Pigeon River

With tall trees lining its rocky banks

The water current – steady and strong

Washes away dirt, the tree’s lifeblood

With time, soil and rocks are swept away

Till the roots lie barren in the mud

But those roots are sturdy and steadfast

Anchoring the tree as they persist

They join and whisper to each other

“Come on, my old friends, let’s do the twist!”

~Mary Carol, 2019~

At the End of a Road in Tuscany

At the end of a road in Tuscany

Beside a neglected church made of stone

We found steps leading to an upper room

With tangled vines and moss overgrown

At first they appeared alone and forgotten

Abandoned - as seems often with the old

Yet peeking out from a tree at its side

Forsythia blooming in yellows and gold

Such is this life as our years increase

We often grow weary and battle worn

But off to the side, we look and we find

A new springtime waiting to be born

~Mary Carol, June 2019~

Henry the Cow

Henry’s standing in the pasture

Watching the farm with warm brown eyes

Chewing on the grass and clover

Mooing softly among his sighs

Henry’s passing time on the farm

Growing fat and content until

He is loaded on the trailer

And now he’s sizzling on the grill.

A Kiss Bouquet

A red kiss for love – alive, true, and strong

Hearts beating together – a vibrant love song

Silver is for time – a long life together

Standing solid – through storms and fair weather

A green kiss for change - renewing each day

Still familiar and warm – a “Kiss Bouquet”

My Mother’s Churches

My mother collects small churches, displayed on shelves and table tops

They’re gifts from friends and family, or treasures found in thrift shops

As a child, at her mill town church, when she was eleven years old

She gave her heart to Jesus, and was welcomed into God’s fold

She married and became a mother -  and, afterwards, a pastor’s wife

Serving churches in Kentucky, Ohio and Georgia - a big part of her life

Later, she became a widow - and studied to be a pastor herself

That’s when she got her first small church and lovingly placed it on the shelf

She was in church for baptisms and weddings, in church for potluck meals and preaching

In church for Sunday School and worship, in church for meetings and for teaching

It’s only fitting she collects churches – churches of ceramic, wood, or tin

Churches symbolize her life’s path, where she worked and where she’s been

The church collection, how it has grown!  It reflects the story of the sacred place

Where a woman we all know and love was “The Church” for others, by God’s grace

~Mary Carol Shaw Johnston, June 2018~

Leiper's Creek Baptism

Yesterday, a swimming hole
Today, a holy place
Into the muddy water
Steps a sinner seeking grace

Our God forgives and blesses
All sins are washed away
A child of God is redeemed
This glad baptism day

~mcsj, 2017~

 In Mother’s Arms

In Mother’s arms - Held close, held dear

In Mother’s arms - There is no fear. 

In Mother’s eyes - Beauty profound

In Mother’s eyes - Grace unbound

In Mother’s heart – love beating strong

In Mother’s heart - where you belong

The Eclipse Sunset

A picnic lunch and folding chairs

Set out in the middle of the day

Beside the Cumberland River

A solar eclipse was on the way.

Side by side we watched the show

Wearing glasses to protect our eyes

Talking, laughing, enjoying the day 

Staying focused on the skies

At last, the moment arrived

The moon totally blocked the sun

The sky mimicked a sunset

The corona in the heavens shone

Stillness and awe overcame us
As we watched the celestial display

“The heavens declare the glory of God”

Those words came to life that day

\

Two Sisters

Lily and Sophie - Two sisters running

Together in dress - Together in stride

Lily and Sophie - Two sisters loving

In step with each other – and side by side

Monhegan Island Light at Sunset

Since 1824 you've stood tall

Granite blocks atop the island hill

You've kept watch both near and far

In summer's heat and winter's chill

You give so much to others

Your gifts to the world are free

Beauty for artists and seekers

Safety for travelers at sea.

Oil on 11 x 14 Gessoboard

Flowers for Momma

You were a little boy picking flowers

A gift for me, your momma.

Multi-colored roses from our garden

Or dandelions clutched in your fist

Maybe wild daisies - a favorite

You'd hold them up to me and smile

"These are for you," you'd say

So much love wrapped up in blooms

Tender memories for this mother's heart.

Bear Creek Road Barn and Grass 

Old tobacco barn 

Falling into disrepair 

In a field of grass 

Blue Mountain Beach Sunset (Florida) 

Day’s end at the beach 

Burning sun in orange and gold 

Fire, sea, and clouds merge 

Yellow Roses on the Indian Springs Table 

Soft yellow roses 

On the camp meeting table 

In my mother’s house 

Franklin Island Light (Maine) 

Weathered yet steadfast 

The Maine sentinel stands tall 

Alone, keeping watch 

November Harvest

A trio of pumpkins

A quartet of lemons 

Orange and yellow and white

A cool weather vine

A warm climate tree

A sweet and a sour bite.

Baptism in Leiper’s Creek, #1 

In a muddy creek 

A soul repents; God blesses 

A new life begins 

Bailey Road Barn (Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee) 

Along a backwoods road  

A barn, red and faded, 

Lies nestled among the trees 

Sunlight filters into the field beyond 

Country life in Leiper’s Fork 

Chickadee on a Branch 

Little Chickadee 

Looking out from the tall branch 

Surveying your world 

Bear Creek Road Barn 

Beyond the weathered fence  

The aging barn stands yet 

Its rusting roof and missing boards 

The barn’s secrets to forget 

Lily’s Angel 

You have a special angel 

Sent from God above. 

She’s always there beside you 

With comfort, hope, and love. 

No matter what you face 

Or how burdensome the road 

She’s with you every step 

To help you bear the load. 

God never promised “easy.” 

Life has many a trial and fall, 

But God and Lily’s angel 

Are with you through it all!