L is for Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens in Matlacha, Florida

Just a Splash of Color at the Lovegrove Gallery & Garden
Just a Splash of Color at the Lovegrove Gallery & Garden

Immediately stepping into the Lovegrove Gallery and Gardens in Matlacha, Florida, my mind was on sensory overload. Vibrant colors in hues of green, blue and pink were everywhere.

Inside the gallery of Leoma Lovegrove, paintings display her whimsy with artwork influenced by everything from The Beatles to 9/11. Without a doubt, the splendor of Southwest Florida, and specifically historic Matlacha, is the biggest influence on her eccentric creations.

Entrance into the Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens, Matlacha, Fla.
Entrance into the Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens, Matlacha, Fla.

Splash of Color

I’ve seen Lovegrove paint in person at various events over the years so being able to visit her gallery was a treat. Meandering through the gallery took some time because there was so much to visually absorb. Following it to the back led me to the outdoor garden where I can sum it up with a “wow.” It’s perhaps the most real-life mythical garden I’ve ever seen.

Trees are painted white, blue bottles are strategically placed to form what looks like giant dandelion blooms, and nuggets of artwork repurposed from broken ceramics are everywhere – on the ground, at eye level and above.

I visited during February and a one-man band played a keyboard and sang classic ’60s tunes, which melded perfectly with The Beatles artwork. A walkway meandered almost purposely to make you pause and think about each step and therefore, savor the time in the garden.

Why Mail a Postcard When You Can Send a Leoma Lovegrove Coconu
Why Mail a Postcard When You Can Send a Leoma Lovegrove Coconut

No Box Required

Do you love sending postcards? It’s always fun receiving them and wouldn’t your loved one enjoy opening up their mailbox to find a painted coconut from Florida? You can mail just about anything as long as it has an address and appropriate package and a coconut, sans the box, is the same. Pick up one hand-painted by the artist or paint your own.

Nuts & Bolts About Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens

Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens
4637 Pine Island Road
Matlacha, Fla. 33993
www.leomalovegrove.com

Matlacha is located about a 30- minute drive west of Fort Myers. Photography is not permitted and a donation is requested for the garden. Matlacha is an artist and historic fishing community and gateway to Pine Island. The area is collectively referred as Florida’s Creative Coast.

This post is part of the 2012 Blogging from A to Z Challenge. Check back daily for a different letter!

Advertisements

Jenn

Jennifer A. Huber is an award-winning travel and outdoor blogger and writer in Southwest Florida. Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., a hiking trail led her to a career path in the tourism industry for more than 30 years. She spent a decade with a park management company in Yellowstone, Death Valley, and Everglades National Parks. She founded the travel blog, SoloTravelGirl.com with the goal of inspiring others to travel alone, not lonely. The unexpected death of her former husband in 2008 reminded her how short life is. His passing was a catalyst for sharing her experiences with the goal of inspiring and empowering others to travel solo. Jennifer holds a Travel Marketing Professional certification from the Southeast Tourism Society, is a certified food judge, member of the NASA Social community, and alum of the FBI Citizens Academy. When not traveling, she is either in the kitchen, practicing her photography skills, or road tripping with her dog, Radcliff.

6 thoughts on “L is for Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens in Matlacha, Florida

Comments are closed.

That's me, Solo Travel Girl, swimming in Weeki Wachee Springs. Photo: Tammy Middleton/Studios Middleton
Adventure Featured Florida Fun

Weeki Wachee Springs: My Ultimate Mermaid Camp Experience

Weeki Wachee Springs offers the Sirens of the Deep Mermaid Camps several times a year. I grabbed a spot, put on a tail, and learned mermaiding is hard work!

Continue Reading
Jason Grauberger, owner of Starry Night Florida, points out constellations during a stargazing tour in Charlotte County, Fla., March 30, 2024.
Adventure Featured Florida Fun Nature Travel

I Took A Stargazing Tour With This New Company In Southwest Florida

Constellations. Planets. Betelgeuse. Oh my! Tour the Southwest Florida night sky with Starry Night Florida in Punta Gorda, Fla.

Continue Reading
One of four flamingos I saw at Fort De Soto Park in St. Petersburg, Fla, Sept. 3, 2023.
Adventure Featured Florida Fun Nature Travel

Caught Up in Hurricane Idalia’s Florida Flamingo Frenzy

If there’s a silver lining, or pink feathery fringe, to a storm, it’s the presence of wild flamingos in Florida, and I set out to find some.

Continue Reading