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Pink lily in garden in Matlacha, Florida

Filed Under: Art, Garden, Travel Tagged With: hurricane ian

A Visit to Matlacha, Florida

October 11, 2022 By Lucy Mercer Leave a Comment

In July 2022, I spent a day in the charming fishing village called Matlacha, Florida. My friends and I shopped in the art galleries and enjoyed a wonderful lunch in this quirky seaside town. I took my time writing this story, long enough for life in Matlacha to turn upside down. Hurricane Ian barreled through Matlacha on September 28, destroying homes, businesses and the bridge that connected the island to the mainland.

Here’s my little story with pictures about Matlacha Before the Storm. I send prayers and positive vibes to this tiny community as they mourn, rebuild and restore. I’m grateful for this day at Matlacha.

Matlacha, Pronounced Matt La-SHAY

July 2022 –In color-soaked Florida, the tiny island town of Matlacha stands out. In a sun-parched coastal Florida landscape, it’s a jolt to drive in to Matlacha and see vibrant lime, orange and fuchsia cottages. But that’s a good kind of jolt.

Pink lily | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Crinum lily, Leoma Lovegrove’s Gallery and Gardens, Matlacha, Florida. July 2022. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Welcome sign | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Welcome sign, Matlacha, Florida. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Leoma Lovegrove’s Gallery and Garden

The artist Leoma Lovegrove keeps a garden behind the gallery. It’s a neon saturated homage to the Beatles, Jesus and found art. Think Cyndi Lauper meets Howard Finster and they garden and create in the blazing Florida sun and you’re halfway there.

Green building with mannequin | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Leoma Lovegrove Gallery, Matlacha, Florida. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Camper van | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Camper in garden. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Beatles mural | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Paul, John, Ringo and George, the Beatles mural in Matlacha, Florida. July 2022. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books.
Bottle tree in the Lovegrove Garden | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Bottle tree in the Lovegrove Garden, Matlacha, Florida, July 2022. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books.
Blue bottle arch | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
A blue bottle arch amid tropical plants like ferns and bromeliads in the Lovegrove Garden, Matlacha, Florida, July 2022. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
The love bus with lambs | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Color-rich camper in Leoma Lovegrove’s garden, Matlacha, Florida. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books.
Lamb in the garden | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Lamb statues in the Lovegrove Garden, Matlacha, Florida, July 2022. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Blue bottle flower | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Blue glass bottles with the bottoms painted white and placed on a bright green post at the dock. July 2022. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
View of the Lovegrove Garden | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
View of the Lovegrove Garden, Matlacha, Florida, July 2022. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Bottles in a frame | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Cobalt blues in the Lovegrove Garden, Matlacha, Florida, July 2022. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Trees painted pink with plants | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Tree bark painted pink, surrounded by bromeliads in the Lovegrove Garden, Matlacha, Florida, July 2022. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Bottle trees and pink lilies in Matlacha | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Bottle trees and pink lilies in the Lovegrove Garden, Matlacha, Florida, July 2022. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Pink boat in the garden | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Conch shells adorn a pink boat. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Firecracker plant | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Firecracker plant in Lovegrove Gallery garden. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books.
Red spotted tree trunk | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Air plants nestle in a tree painted with red spots. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Fish painting on fence | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Fish painting on fence at Lovegrove Garden, Matlacha, Florida, July 2022. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

More Views of Matlacha

Octopus painting and plants | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Caladiums and a playful octopus brighten a storefront in Matlacha, Florida, July 2022. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Bicycle and blue dog in Matlacha | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
The view from the front door of the Blue Dog restaurant, Matlacha, Florida, July 2022. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Indian mannequin  in Matlacha | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Chilling in front of the Traders Hitching Post, Matlacha, Florida, July 2022. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Colorful planter | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Sedum in a colorful container, Matlacha, Florida, July 2022. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Goodbye, Matlacha, Hope to See You Soon

Standing in the garden | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
In the Lovemore garden. I hope to be back someday to see the blooms and art. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Painted fence | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Painted fence with paintings. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books.
Guitar painting on door | Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books
Guitar painting with firecracker plant and bromeliad. Photo by Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

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I love to talk about plants and gardens and more here and on the socials. Visit A Cook and Her Books on Instagram and Facebook. Leave a comment here. I’d love to hear from you!

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Copyright © 2023 Lucy Mercer. All images and words belong to Lucy Mercer unless otherwise attributed and may not be reproduced without written permission.

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