Myron Leggett Studio

11/23/2022

"Simple Life"... I wanted to share one of my latest photography portrait sessions. I have photographed Kinsley for several years as a dancer.
Her mother Lauren brought her in to my studio and we created several images with different costumes. When I created this one, I knew it would be my favorite!
I love the simplicity of the image and the lighting. Her expression reflects her youth and her beauty, her eyes are captivating!
When she, her mother and sister all come back to see the photographs this was the first image I showed them, we all fell in love with it!
In the near future I will be painting this image, it will make a beautiful oil painting! I have a couple other paintings I am currently finishing and a couple that I have just started.

07/05/2022

"Simple Life"... Not so Simple Life...... I was so busy with work the month of June I did not get to post this. I wanted to share that 40 years ago this June was when Sandy and I started our own business, signs and screen printing. We started it in my Mawmaw Minnie's carport / garage in Leesburg, then we rented mini warehouse for production work, then we moved to an industrial park on Griffin Road, Leesburg. For a while we even opened a kiosk in Lake Square Mall, putting transfers on T-shirts and promoting our business. 20 years ago, in June, Sandy and I moved our business to Downtown Leesburg on Main Street. We had about five years of overlap to convert from signs to photography full time. Sandy worked side-by-side with me for 39 of those years, she only missed this last year because God needed her skills in heaven. Yes, we spent almost 24/7 together all those years!

04/05/2022

Two of my newest friends. Little Miss "Ryleigh" (my artist friend) and one of her sisters "Reese". We had a mini session on one of their visits. Both are very kind and sweet, a reflection of how their parents have raised them. I hope I have touched their hearts as they have touched mine. Love those smiles!

02/07/2022

"Simple Life"... an 8-year-old girl made my day, she had an appreciation for art. Today she had an appreciation for my art! She admired my paintings. I heard her talking outside and went to make sure she knew which ones in my studio window are paintings and which are photographs. I asked her if she would like to come in and see some more paintings, she excitedly said yes. Her grandparents were with her, I knew they looked familiar.... her grandfather went to school with my mother.
I asked her if she paints or draws and she said she draws, I encouraged her to keep drawing and told her she is starting at a younger age than I started. After showing her all the paintings I asked her, which was her favorite, she pointed to "Grace Kelly". I explained to her that Grace Kelly was an actress who became a Princess. I told her to come March 12th and 13th to the Leesburg Art Festival where she could walk around and see all the artist and their artwork. Then I invited her to come and hang out with me for a while during to Art Festival so she could watch me paint. Before she left, she told me "You're the first artist I have ever met" Thank you Miss Ryleigh for making my day!
(Simple kindness can go a long way and can be returned back, my kindness to her was actually returned to her because of her comments I heard as she passed my studio window)

12/17/2021

I am very thankful for all the work I have had lately. Still a long way to go before Dec 25th. I think I need to let my beard grow longer and add some weight around my waist!

11/26/2021

Leesburg Christmas Stroll is tonight Mian St. downtown Leesburg
Come join us and the fun! I plan to be back in the window painting a portrait!

10/20/2021

I had a session with Father V Monday evening, we did several shots of him by himself, he is always creative and I get creative then the group came, we took several poses, someone in the group came up with this idea, minor adjustment, the right lighting, great angle after the session we got on the computer to find the winner, I suggested going with black and white for his Music cover image. Great group effort to produce a great image!

10/19/2021

Sophia is almost finished with her painting "The Vail" she has learned a lot, each painting teaches us something new, different challenges. I have been teaching / coaching her for some time now, I love seeing her improvements. On her first layer she kept complaining that she didn't like her eyes.... I assured her that on her second layer she would be able to make the improvements and changes so the girl's face would look correct.

08/10/2021

I have had people ask me if I am back to work... yes I am, still going to be doing what I have been doing! Sandy was very efficient, she kept great records so I have been able to find everything I need, just one or two questions for you Sandy.... Do they have text in Heaven or shall I use a direct line of communication! Sandy is going to be missed, 39 years of working side by side! (for those who follow my studio page but may have missed this, my Sandy went to Heaven on July 10th peacefully in her sleep, God needed one more Angel! The cause of her passing is still unknown, she was not sick, no covid and no vaccine, I have been in shock and disbelief)

06/11/2021

"Beauty & Grace" Photographing Dancers is fun, I love seeing a little bit of their personality. I only have them for a few minutes in front of the camera, but I want that few minutes to be special for them. If I get a chance to squeeze in an extra minute I will move my lights, change their pose and capture something special. Some of the girls have their own ideas, some ham it up for the camera, then some are like this girl, quiet, simple and doing what I asked and had in mind for her. I love the way this portrait turned out, the smiles on her parent's face says it all. Over the years I have seen many of the young girls grow into young ladies and still remain friends with them, maybe I will see this pretty girl through the years, maybe in the next 10-11 years I will get to photograph her in dance and see her grow into a beautiful young lady. Even if she doesn't remember the photographer..... hopefully she will remember the experience when she looks back on her portraits!

05/27/2021

Our building is 140 years old this year! Built in 1881. She is getting new paint, stain and touch up to make her look her best, thanks to "Corky Smallwood Painting" and with some facade grant money from the City of Leesburg and most importantly the current owners "Ginger and Eugene Leggett" making another investment in improving Downtown Leesburg's looks. Built in 1881 on Main Street in Leesburg, Florida. Currently the "Clark Leggett Building" has three tenants: "Myron Leggett Studio" photography, portrait painting, photo restoration and framing. If you have every been to the Art Festival or Christmas Stroll or just passed by you may have seen Myron painting a portrait while sitting in his window for those strolling by to watch. Next door is "Dr. Marty R. Leggett, O.D." an Optometrist. Marty's windows are full of old optical equipment and glasses all of which are over 100 years old. He also has some old Leesburg memorabilia and old photos of downtown Leesburg. The building's third tenant is a Beauty Salon "Pointe of View" who's owner is Wanda Reed. Her entry faces 4th street. Wanda is a wonderful lady with a big heart! From the 1800's to early 1900's our building was Drug Store / Restaurant / General Store. Later it became "A&P Grocery" store. In 1955 our building was purchased by the Fechtel family and became known as "Vincent's 5 and Dime Store" many items were sold, even some of current owners Ginger and Gene's Azaleas still in their yard came from Vincent's, 10 plants for $1. Vincent's was open from 1955-1981, but the Fechtel family owned the building for approximately 51 years before selling to the Leggett's in 2006. Over the years the building has houses the following businesses: "Larson's Men's Store", "Flo's Bootery", "Dorothy's Knitting Nook" , "Upscale Fashions & Uniforms", Grace's Used Books and Records", Knightwing Stereo Equipment" and several beauty salons including "All About Me" The original sign for Larson's was found in an antique store in North Florida, but the owner didn't want to accept an offer on it or it would have returned home. The old red bricks have been long painted over so after considering changing the color scheme Ginger said "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" So she is getting new paint in the old coral and orange Florida colors!

05/25/2021

Myron Leggett
This is still my all time favorite Dance Portrait I have created!! In 2010 this pretty, sweet and kind young lady "Annelise" was in line for her portrait, I looked around and saw I had a moment to be creative, so I changed the lighting, had her look to the side and got this gorgeous portrait, it was on my studio wall for a long time. From this moment and for the next few years Annelise would hang with us while we were taking the other girls dance photos, she would pose them, check their costumes, etc...... until Terri Hicks, will call her to come down (I was enjoying her help). I missed this sweet young lady when she left dance........... Now she is all grown up, 18 years old yesterday! Happy Birthday Pretty Lady!

04/15/2021

I wanted to post some more images from this recent session. These ladies were fun to work with! I have seen a preview of the website and the packaging that some images will be used on, very nice, when their product is hair, go to showcase it! I will share link when I can.

03/26/2021

Painting update: I have worked on the dress and foot of the oldest girl. Her foot will be veiled by her dress when completed. Two ways to accomplish that.....one paint the foot and dress over it at the same time..... or two paint the foot first and veil it later. I choose the second option so I could have more detail in her foot. I am considering this about 2/3rds done. Time to let the paint dry..... then seal it..... then paint it again...... why.... because the second layer is when it comes alive!

03/17/2021

"Painting Class" Sophia working on details of her painting "The Veil"

03/12/2021

Couple of portraits from a recent session, the client will be using these to promote her business "Hair"

03/12/2021

Photos from Myron Leggett Studio's post

03/03/2021

"Painting Class" Sophia working on the overpainting stage of her latest painting "The Veil"

03/02/2021

These are from a photography project I did for Lake Port Square!
Blue Heron lives up to his name with his intense coloring!

02/19/2021

Got to love those precious toes. Painting progress!

01/19/2021

A client commissioned me to paint her friend's Yorkshire Terrier "Maggie May" I got a call the next day that she was speechless and cried when she saw it. Ahh it does a heart good to hear she loved it!

12/01/2020

You know you have done good when you can touch Santa's heart! Thank you to all those who wrote Santa a "Thank You" note, he said it was unbelievable and it touched his heart, he said he will never forget this! Thank you to Sandy, Alesha and Deree for helping make this work!

11/27/2020

Tonight "Thank You" notes for Santa..... read below......

Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! So I wanted to ask everyone for a favor. Santa stopped by my studio on Weds and we were talking about the portrait I painted of him. Here is what I would like to ask all of you to do. This Friday evening is the Downtown Leesburg Christmas Stroll. I would love for the kids and the young at heart to stop by the studio and either bring with you or come write a "Thank You" note to Santa. Instead of asking for something, just make a short note Thanking Santa for all that he has done for you over the years! I will write one too! I will get a mail box for you to drop the notes into. I will be seeing him again within a couple of days and I want to give them to him. If you come by the studio and we are not there, just drop them in my drop slot at the front door. I will try to get them to him by Monday! Let's make Santa's day!

11/27/2020

Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! So I wanted to ask everyone for a favor. Santa stopped by my studio on Weds and we were talking about the portrait I painted of him. Here is what I would like to ask all of you to do. This Friday evening is the Downtown Leesburg Christmas Stroll. I would love for the kids and the young at heart to stop by the studio and either bring with you or come write a "Thank You" note to Santa. Instead of asking for something, just make a short note Thanking Santa for all that he has done for you over the years! I will write one too! I will get a mail box for you to drop the notes into. I will be seeing him again within a couple of days and I want to give them to him. If you come by the studio and we are not there, just drop them in my drop slot at the front door. I will try to get them to him by Monday! Let's make Santa's day!

11/16/2020

A little more paint.......

10/29/2020

Progress on painting.

10/25/2020

Work in progress Leesburg Art Festival. This is a portrait commission I stated during Art Fest.

10/21/2020

This weekend is the Leesburg Art Festival. Sophia will be here at the studio painting (on Saturday) on her new painting, come see what she has taken on as a challenge! I will have her bring her Medusa painting as well. I gave her a certificate for completing her first class project painting a black and white study. Sophia shared with me that she has been coming by the studio every Christmas Stroll since she was 7 years old and watched me painting in the window. (She is 17 now) She is very talented and has been painting on her own for several years, then she saw my note about classes and wanted to learn more. I told her that when I started painting in the window downtown for people to watch some 18 years ago, I had hoped to hear someone say they came by for years and saw me in the window, I had always hoped it would make a positive impact on someone, now here we are today, her learning and me teaching, wow I did get to see and hear what I hoped for, a blessing for myself and for Sophia!

More on what I plan for the Art Festival, tomorrow.

07/09/2020

Christmas in July!! So I had a lady stop in the studio and ask about buying the Original Painting of Santa! She didn't buy it, but I do have another client buying some Christmas cards!
So this reminded me to do my Christmas in July posting!!

06/23/2020

This was a nice portrait I created for Nicole. Nicole helped us keep the younger kid's names in order and helped with some posing when we did their portraits a couple weeks before the recital.

05/05/2020

My Oil Painting is now available for prints, Christmas cards, mugs and more. Send me a message here or call the studio at 352-326-2967 and tell me what you would like to order! At Santa's request a portion of the profits go to feed the homeless! Thanks!

04/24/2020

Before the virus I had just completed my painting of Santa! Almost two years ago Santa came into my studio for an updated "Headshot" (don't tell him, I thought he hasn't aged a bit since I was a kid) I decided lets get creative. So from the photo session I came up with a couple of portraits that I thought would make an excellent painting and give me a chance to try a different style of painting than my normal portrait painting style. I told Santa if he let me paint a portrait I would give him a copy. So when I completed the painting Santa made a special trip to Florida from the North Pole to see and approve the painting! He liked it so much, that he decided to buy two copies, one for each of his daughters!!! I was thrilled he wanted them to enjoy the painting as well, who knew Santa had two daughters!! Santa even bought the frame right off the original painting!! I will be selling prints of different sizes if anyone is interested to add to their Christmas decor, the original is available also!

04/19/2020

Beautiful Bluebird getting a bath in our backyard.

03/26/2020

Still working!

03/24/2020

Still working!

03/20/2020

Now that so many are spending more time at home, it's time to bring, mail or email in those photo restorations you have been thinking about getting us to restore! We are still working!

03/16/2020

Morgan's Senior session. We have known Morgan's mother and grandmother seems like for ever. So glad we got to create some great portraits for Morgan! Pretty and sweet young lady!

03/14/2020

Painting on Santa today! Art Festival of one!

03/06/2020

I was thrilled when I heard Morgan wanted me to take her Senior Portraits. We did some in the studio and some outside, then you take that one image that you know without looking at all the others is the one that captures her beauty and personality, that's the one to share!

02/28/2020

Drawing Lessons with Anna. So I decided to have Anna work on doing a drawing of Medusa. Since the ladies in my painting class are painting Medusa I thought it will be a good image to study shading and would be very interesting to see the differences in a drawing verses a painting. Two different mediums. Anna did really great with her shading projects I gave her last time, so I knew she could handle this one!