Made in America: Keith Herendon, blacksmith & artist
By Sheri Oneal In 2010 I started a flood relief project called ReTune Nashville, we gave flood damaged instruments to Nashville visual artists, they created art out of the items to re-sale for money to donate to flood victims. While working on that project I met Keith Herendon a Nashville blacksmith specializing in custom doors, rails, gates, fences and art. I have stayed in touch over the years and felt inclined to showcase him for my new blog series “Made in America:Nashville.” I personally have always been intrigued with welding especially when relating to art and Keith does it all. A blacksmith generally works with metals, heating them to a…
Looking for unique products & services for “Made in America” blog series!!
This year I am challenging myself to do more personal work. I have decided to start a series called “Made in America: Nashville,” and it will center around products and services that are offered and created in America. I plan to focus in and around Nashville but hope when opportunity arises I can branch out. “Made in America” has long been a topic of discussion within news sources due to US businesses outsourcing to other countries because the labor and production cost are often cheaper. Being a small business owner myself I realize the importance of offering a quality product and service that adds value and is affordable to my…
East Nashville’s unique coffee shop the “Barista Parlor.”
By Sheri Oneal If you have not had a chance yet to check out Barista Parlor over in East Nashville you should. Andy Mumma is the owner of this cool coffee shop with some of the best coffee in a hip atmosphere on the East side of Nashville. I prefer to call Andy’s coffee “speciality” because of his unique methods of producing a cup of java. He uses Hario V60, Chemex, Cafe Solo, Woodneck, and Syphon brewing methods. He also uses a cold brew process that uses large towers to brew the coffee before it is chilled. Aside from the coffee, Barista offers unique chocolates from around the world as…
Dev Digital opens in a new location!
By Sheri Oneal Dev Digital helps companies and individuals create their own identity on the web through web design and programming. I recently shot some environmental portraits of Mitch Ballard and Peter Marcum, founding partners of Dev Digital, for promotion of their new downtown location in Nashville. I believe these days people want to know who they are doing business with and good photography can really make a difference in connecting with potential clients. I have known Mitch and Peter for many years, love what they do and wish them the best with their new location! They have hosted my site for years and I have been extremely happy with their…
A perfect Saturday at Arrington Vineyards!
By Sheri Oneal Last Saturday (August 11) I attended for the first time the Arrington Vineyards annual Harvest Party. They had the largest crowd ever and the weather was absolutely perfect. The day consisted of wine tastings, musical performances and hot air balloons. It was a delight to watch so many people having a wonderful time outdoors with their family and friends. The hot air balloons were beautiful to see in the clear blue sky and Kix Brooks rocked the stage for more than an hour. People lounged, loved and laughed. Many enjoyed sharing a picnic and sipping on the wonderful wine that Arrington sells at the facility. The event…
Sweetness with a twist…the Bang Candy Company
By Sheri Oneal I don’t watch tv often but on occasion I have found myself completely absorbed in shows like Eat Street, Food(ography), Unique Eats and Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives among others… I guess I might be a little obsessed with the travel channel, food network and the cooking channel. My infatuation has led me to want to shoot more images of inspired people doing what they love with food. Being inspired after watching several episodes of Eat Street I did some research on the food trucks in Nashville and was led to Sarah Souther. Sarah moved to Nashville eight years ago from Tipperary, Ireland where she spent a lot of…
Personal Work Revitalized My Creativity!
Last week, I finally dedicated a few hours to a personal, spiritual photography series I’ve been developing on and off for over a year. The day of personal work revitalized my creativity! It’s a project close to my heart, involving continuous online research, collecting ideas for lighting, evocative imagery, and intriguing locations. I’m always on the lookout for interesting people and unique props around town, which is how I met Meagan Nordmann Rhodes on Facebook some time ago. As a freelance creative, it’s incredibly challenging to carve out time for personal work when the constant demands of self-marketing loom large. It often feels like I’m playing hooky. I sometimes feel…
It’s National Doughnut day…enjoy!
By Sheri Oneal Today is National Doughnut day! I can’t remember when the last time was that I had one but I find it entertaining that there is a day set aside to celebrate. I have no intention to go get one today because they are not a part of my current diet but if one were here in front of me I would more than likely eat it due to a poor lack of willpower. A few years ago for whatever reason a few friends and I went down to my basement studio and had a little fun with the thought of this holiday. Chris C. was on board…
A Vet Worth Visiting: Dr. Marc Smith
Over the holiday season, my dog Deisel developed mysterious, chronic shoulder pain. After x-rays and multiple visits to my regular vet, we were told it was likely a pinched nerve, requiring a specialist. My friend Carol Smock of the “Brown Dog Foundation” then referred me to Dr. Marc Smith at Natchez Trace Veterinary Services. Healing Deisel: A Journey to Natchez Trace Veterinary Services After several months of research and trial-and-error treatments, Dr. Smith took a chance and treated Deisel for a tick bite. We had ruled out everything else, and I hadn’t been using Frontline. Within just two weeks of starting his medication, Deisel was almost as good as new!…
A Visit To Gruhn Guitars
By Sheri Oneal I visited Gruhn Guitars, a downtown Nashville staple that was established in 1970 to photograph owner, George Gruhn. He allowed me to look through the store and shoot whatever I wanted while I was there. I was overwhelmed by how many instruments he had in his inventory including many rare and very expensive musical items. I wanted to showcase the part of George many people might not be aware of with his business and his personal life. George has 25 employees, these include his sales staff and his instrument repair specialist. As George gave me a tour of the upstairs in this historical downtown Nashville location, he…
