Businesses celebrate with ribbon-cutting

Two Bloomfield business establishments joined together for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday.

It was the grand opening for LeGrand Art Studio and Gallery located on State Road 54 in Haywood's Printing and Stained Glass building and Carla Howell's new location for her QTs Custom Active Wear store located next door to Haywood at 2063 W. State Road 54.

With three artists working in close proximity, the location could very well be called Bloomfield's Artist Colony.

Throughout the past few years, Howell has moved to different locations as her business expanded.

She started doing screen printing in the basement of her home in 1998.

In 2001, she added embroidery to the screen printing when she bought the Green Flag Racing business on E. Main St. in Bloomfield.

After Chaney's store went out of business in 2006, Howell added Carhartt clothing and tuxedo rentals -- Jim's Formal Wear -- to her inventory.

Still needing more space, Howell moved to her present location in September.

Explaining her technique when applying pictures to shirts, Howell said she does not use transfers but uses the unique "direct to garment printing" method.

For custom garment printing, Howell says there is very little limit as to how many colors and what colors she can use and is the reason she first entered the business.

"Before I had my business, I was disappointed when going into a shop and being told that they couldn't put that many colors together or use certain colors," explained Howell. "I thought there must be a way and is the reason I went to school and learned how to do it myself."

Wyatt LeGrand, owner of the LeGrand Art Studio and Gallery, is a Bloomfield High School graduate and says he always knew he wanted to pursue an art related career.

While at Indiana University, he became experienced in many art media including drawing, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, textiles, metalsmithing and jewelry-making.

"However, it was oil painting that I became most fond of," LeGrand said. "I had never used oil paint up until that time and immediately fell in love with it."

LeGrand is a follower of the plein-air tradition of painting, which is a French term that is used to describe painting in the open air.

"The first impressionists, whom I admire and study, were well known for going to an outdoor location, setting up their easel, and painting what they saw before them," noted LeGrand. "Paintings in 'en plein air' are usually done very quickly in order to capture the light effect."

LeGrand added that pretty areas like Greene County are locations that plein air artists try to find.

LeGrand is becoming well known in the artist's field and recently won a first runner-up in the annual T.C. Steele Great Outdoor Art Contest.

LeGrand says his art studio is a place where he can work on his art and also sell his artwork.

"I encourage people to just stop in to the studio and utilize it as a gallery space to enjoy," said LeGrand.

Aside from selling his artwork, other services that LeGrand offer at his studio are commissioned artworks, portraits, and framing and matting. He also has prints and postcards for sale.

His first round of oil painting classes will start Oct. 20. The eight-week course will meet every Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 9.

There will also be an open studio night every week so that students can utilize the studio space and receive additional help and instruction.

"There is no painting experience necessary, and beginning artists are welcome to my classes," explained LeGrand. "I will be covering the fundamentals of oil painting and teaching students how to paint from observation -- painting what they see in front of them. Students will be able to leave the class with the knowledge and practice necessary to pursue oil painting on their own."

Haywood's Printing and Stained Glass will also offer stained glass classes to coincide with LeGrand's art classes.

Unless on a painting assignment, LeGrand's regular gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The phone number is (812) 384-6505.