Cape Coral and Southwest Florida Feature Stories

Let's Talk Leoma Lovegrove

Written by Eric Taubert Wednesday, 08 August 2012 21:43

Let’s Talk About Leoma Lovegrove

There are few communities so singularly defined by colored paint as Matlacha in Southwest Florida.

Driving through the community for the first time is like becoming Dorothy as she steps out of the black and white film and into the blazing technicolor of Oz, where almost anything is possible.

Let’s Talk About Leoma Lovegrove

Let’s Talk About Leoma Lovegrove

Everything is slathered in vibrant tones and hues. It’s as if a Sherwin Williams factory exploded in the middle of an arts and fishing colony -- and no one ever cleaned up the splashes of paint.

Let’s Talk About Leoma Lovegrove

Let’s Talk About Leoma Lovegrove

There are restaurants and bars, gift shops and seafood stores, ice cream parlors and mobile home parks -- but the pulse of Matlacha beats from the most colorful building of all...the Lovegrove Gallery and Gardens.

Let’s Talk About Leoma Lovegrove

Let’s Talk About Leoma Lovegrove

...and the person responsible for all of this colored paint is, artist, Leoma Lovegrove.

Let’s Talk About Leoma Lovegrove

So let’s talk Leoma for a minute...

Let’s Talk About Leoma Lovegrove

Creative. Eccentric. Patriotic. Quirky. Republican. Wild-eyed with signature “hand’ sunglasses reaching for the world with her vision -- Leoma absorbs the colors of Matlacha and throws them back at reality.

Let’s Talk About Leoma Lovegrove

She’s covered in the colors. On her clothes. On her skin.

Let’s Talk About Leoma Lovegrove

Reflected in the water. Painted on buildings. Filling the skies. Tinting the clouds. Rust and ashes. Neons. Pastels.

Let’s Talk About Leoma Lovegrove

Leoma absorbs them all, concentrates their essences and delivers them to the canvas, coconuts, rocks, palm trees and any other surface she comes into contact with.

Let’s Talk About Leoma Lovegrove

Flags. Hearts. Fish. Beatles. Snippets of songs. Pride for Matlacha.

Let’s Talk About Leoma Lovegrove

Leoma LoveGrove is a whirlwind of pigment. A force of natural art. A SWFL icon.

Let’s Talk About Leoma Lovegrove

And it’s tough to imagine what Matlacha would be like without her.

Let’s Talk About Leoma Lovegrove

Visit: Leoma Lovegrove's website!

-- writing and photography by Eric Taubert

Join Eric Taubert on Twitter: @erictaubert

Join Southwest Florida Barometer on Facebook: SWFL Barometer Fanpage

 

 


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