Artist Leoma Lovegrove

August 25, 2009 The colorful, old-Florida fishing village of Matlacha, part of Pine Island in the southwest portion of the state, is the perfect setting for painting Princess Leoma Lovegrove. The area's tropical scenery and abundant wildlife are the inspiration for this eclectic artist's whimsical creations. For example, she is known for her painted coconut postcards that are actually processed by the U.S. Postal Service. Lovegrove's art is instantly recognizable for its exuberant technique and bright color palette.

In 1975, the Indiana native graduated from the Ringling School of Art in Sarasota. About 10 years ago, Lovegrove and her husband took a wrong turn and found themselves on the quaint island of Matlacha that remains stuck in the Florida of the 1950s and 1960s. This delightfully quirky artist's diverse work is displayed in galleries around the world. Her body of work includes a commissioned portrait of Virgin Airlines founder Richard Branson and a portrait of former President Jimmy Carter displayed in his Presidential Library in Atlanta.

For more information on Lovegrove's creative magic, log onto www.LeomaLovegrove.com ; for details on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, visit www.FortMyersSanibel.com.