Meet Beau

‎"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen." ~Elisabeth Kubler-Ross~

Let me introduce Beau Millican. I met Beau through Isaiah 58, which is a ministry dedicated to the homeless, supported and ran out of Belmont Church on Music Row. His story inspired me, and I know it will you as well..

Beau is originally from Georgia. Like many people, things happened in his past that had a very negative impact on the choices he made as an adult. He lost his right leg at the age of 14 and his life began a downward spiral that as he said "I was hopelessly ill equipped to handle, I made one wrong decision after another until I was firmly grounded in a world of drugs, crime, and living a life of despair."

He spent many nights on the streets of Nashville, feeling forgotten, hungry, and alone.

After several trips to prison for various crimes, Beau found himself in July, 2003 on his way to his latest incarceration here in Nashville, Tennessee. "I knew that my life was about to change. Someone in prison introduced to me a method of dealing with the things from my past that were continuing to derail me in my present. The program is called Theotherapy "God therapy" and It gave me hope for my future."

Beau was released from prison and has been drug free for several years now, and been living in a home sponsored by Belmont and ran by Bill Ruff. He is a visual artist and his work is outstanding..reminiscent of Picasso and Chagall. A large portion of the money he makes from the sale of his art, goes to help support the homeless. He is there to serve at Isaiah 58 in anyway possible. He shares his testimony as an image of hope to fellow mankind. His kindness and compassion demonstrate his discipleship to Jesus Christ.

Kim Shanower - on mourning the loss of a friend

A couple of weeks ago Kim's daughter Jessikah asked me to take some photos of Kim, as they would probably be her last photos. At first I did not think I could do this, but now looking back, I am so glad the good Lord gave me an opportunity (and the strength) to bless a dear friend with some beautiful photos...isn't this the reason I starting taking pictures in the first place??

Kim went home last night.

Thinking back on my relationship with Kim and her family, I am so grateful for the support she has given me through the years. Her daughter Jessikah was one of the very first headshots I had ever taken, and I believe my career was birthed with them. She was a walking advertisement for me, always being my biggest fan.

All this to say : Kim... rest well my friend in the comfort of your Saviors arms. I know you are running and leaping this morning as pain no longer has a grip on you. Sing praises to God for He is good, and wait for all of us who mourn your passing, until we meet again in the air.

Manuel - 9 April 2010

The first time I photographed Manuel Arturo José Cuevas Martinez was about 4 years ago when I was working for a publication here in Nashville. His exhibit had just opened at the Frist Center and at several other museums. Now, several years later, I sit in the kitchen at his office-studio on Broadway not as a photographer but as a friend who just happens to have her camera. This man is a fashion legend and I have on my sweat pants (I was on my way to the gym...really). We start talking about James Dean as I just finished a biography on him, and Manuel said Giant was his first wardrobe job...how cool is that? Then we chat about Prince (the artist formally known as now known again as Prince) and Michael Jackson.


Manuel came to Los Angeles in the mid 1950's and later became head tailor and designer for Nudie of Nudie's Rodeo Tailors and designed for Roy Rogers among others. He has done clothing for everyone from Elvis (the famous gold jacket) to the Stones (did I mention I had on my sweats?). We go into one of his design rooms and there is a beautiful photo of his parents...


















Esperanza and Jose' Guadalupe Cuevas...they were his true inspirations he says.
She was 13 when they married. There were 11 children, Manuel was the fifth. His older brother taught him to sew. He was raised in Mexico and attended the University of Guadalajara where he majored in psychology.

After working for the studios, Nathan Turk and for Nudie, Manuel left to open his own business in North Hollywood. He later moved to Nashville, TN in 1989. And here in Music City he has designed for the best of Country Music.








This fashion icon sits in front of me and what impresses me most is his romance of life.. He is charming, kind, and passionate. His lifes work is in the art he creates with his hands and in his heart. He is excited about a benefit he is having for his birthday to raise money for a non-for-profit organization he started, Friends of Manuel. The Friends of Manuel Foundation will financially support the Manuel Fashion Institute for the enrichment of the arts in the fashion and textiles industry.


As I get ready to leave, I try to hide my lack of fashion sense behind my camera bag, and Manuel, in his latino charm says "you look beautiful my dear, don't stay away so long".

Meeting David Harp...artist...cowboy...

This is David Harp from David Harp studio http://www.davidharpstudio.com/. I met David when he hired me to shoot interior photos of iron work he had done several million dollar homes for his celebrity clientele in Nashville.

I was invited to his family's home about a 45 drive north of Nashville, and there I got a glimpse of the man behind the artist.

David was raised on a cattle farm in Arkansas and came to Nashville with his wife and daughters as his daughter wanted to pursue a music career.

He has worked for one of the top music management teams, and had a hand in developing some of the most well know country artists.

David decided to pursue his love of the art of blacksmithing and started his studio on his estate just north of Nashville. He designs, creates and distributes his art to his clientele all over the world. His speciality is iron furniture, rails, lamps and very ornate pieces of art.

And as if his talents in the blacksmith trade were not enough...David is a championship cutting horse rider and works cattle and trains his own championship horses. I had the opportunity to see a cutting horse training session, he made it seem effortless. His connection to his horse was one of an artist towards his craft.

David travels both with his art and with his horses. He drives a custom Prevost bus with a mighty trailer behind....if you see him out on the road somewhere make sure you go say hello. He is a man who never met a stranger, and with his Hollywood smile, he will make you feel right at home.