This week is so busy for many of you, and I’m usually right there with you running around for all those last minute ingredients for Thanksgiving dinner. Well, we’re not having Thanksgiving dinner at our house this year, so there’s not as much for me to prepare.
We took the day off to enjoy our beautiful Florida weather and the local art and food. {Ya gotta have some food when you’re enjoying art!}
Matlacha (Matt-la-shay) is a colorful little town full of big, colorful art! Lovegrove Gallery is always on my list of stops! This has been one of my favorite places to find art for years now! We are talking “Island Art“ at its finest around here! It’s located on Pine Island, Florida, and you might miss it if you’re not looking for it!
It’s about 25 minutes from Punta Gorda and today was a pretty nice day to visit…picture perfect really! Manatees swimming, Mullet jumping, homemade ice cream, fish and chips, And a Cheeseburger in Paradise! Don’t miss Bert’s Bar if you visit!
The photo above was taken in the Lovegrove backyard on another trip! They are constantly changing the backyard garden and photos are not allowed! These galleries stay pretty busy and it’s wonderful to see this art community thriving!
Pine Bay Art and Antiques has a great selection of local art, and they have wonderful books by Robert Macomber that Tim loves! He lives on Pine Island and writes great historical fiction novels. I happened to find a cute little purse here…wearable art!
There’s a great hotel to stay at located right in the heart of everything. It’s actually built out OVER the water, with fishing just out the door to your room! That’s right…you walk out your door onto the dock with chairs waiting for you to sit down and “catch the big one” for dinner! Bridge Water Inn is great for families! Can you tell I practically grew up in my Mom’s travel agency?
Here’s one of my favorite things from Matlacha…The Giant Fish! We really should name him because he hangs out on the wall in the kitchen everyday! This is one of the many “colorful art” pieces that decorate the inside and outside of our house.
Here’s another one of my earlier purchases…
Here’s more backyard art at the gallery…a reminder of Hurricane Charley that did so much damage in this area.
Colorful art really does brighten everything up a bit! Don’t forget to take a little time and enjoy it!
What art communties are near you??? I’d love to hear about them.
I am now ready to leave for the beach. Mainly because I’m freezing! : )
Have a great Thanksgiving!
This is great. I sent the link to my friend who does colorful mosaics in N. California, I know she’ll love it. In Seattle, the Fremont area is super artsy and creative in an urban kind of way. They have a Solstice Parade every year with nude, painted bicycle riders, among others. A must-see.