Remembering Leoma Lovegrove: Tributes pouring in on social media about iconic artist

• Florida artist Leoma Lovegrove, known for her vibrant paintings, died at age 72.
• Lovegrove’s gallery announced her passing on Facebook, stating she died on April 10th.
• Lovegrove’s art is featured in several prominent locations, including Presidential Libraries and Rockefeller Center.

Famous Southwest Florida artist Leoma Lovegrove,  an impressionist-expressionist painter known worldwide for her vivid colorful paintings, died this week. She was 72 years old.

 Lovegrove’s Fort Myers art gallery posted the news April 16.

More: ‘What a light she was!’: Southwest Florida artist Leoma Lovegrove has died, her gallery says

“The Gallery will be closed for Easter week and until Tuesday, April 29, 2025 as we prepare for a Celebration of Life for Leoma,” the gallery wrote on Facebook. “We wanted to share here with everyone close to Leoma that she passed away April 10th at the age of 72 with her husband, Michael Silberg, by her side in their home in North Fort Myers, FL.”

Lovegrove, who was diagnosed with stage-four breast cancer in 2018, touched thousands through her artwork. Not surprisingly, on social media, there have been a steady flow of tributes.

What people are saying: Artist Leoma Lovegrove

Here are just some of the hundreds of comments that have been posted on The News-Press Facebook page:

Cindy Schmidt said: RIP, Leoma! You made the world a prettier, more whimsical place!

Justin Lammers said: She is a SW FL treasure. Matlacha won’t be as bright and vibrant without her but hopefully others can carry on her fun vibe.

Connie Mattson Dickman said: So sad. Her beautiful Matlacha gallery and garden were one of our favorite places to bring our friends who were visiting us in Cape.

Cathernine Hannah said: Had the pleasure of meeting and learning about her, at the Marietta museum of whimsy in Sarasota. She was so vibrant in painting and in her personality. Her art will live on, on many and in her paintings. So proud to have a couple of her pieces. Rest in Peace

Kenneth Cosmo Ruisi said: The 3 plates she painted are staying on my wall & will be cherished.

Berla Culbertson said: She will live on in the art she joyfully created for so many to enjoy.

Eileen Moore Kruer said: Rest in peace talented lady.

Keith Auman said: Was lucky to meet her once. She was very talented.

Amy Russow said: I’ve admired her work ethic, Enthusiasm she will be greatly missed.

Gaither Brettell DeLuca said: Was thinking about her the other day….what a great artist and person. Rest in peace.

Belinda Brehm-enkro said: So sad, this was a special woman/artist!!!

Dawn Pike said: Love Leoma and look forward to seeing her again someday in heaven. Praying for her husband, friends, and family.

Tommie Moore-Hoover said: Such a loss…loved her art and her patriotism . RIP Leoma.

Barbara J. Giltner said: I just saw her today on U TUBE. It was a show that Samatha Brown does for travel. She was visiting Ft Myers and surrounding areas like Sanibel, Edison Ford estate and a few other areas here. Leoma was an amazing artist! Sad to see she passed.

Pat Holycross said: Wow! She was such an amazing artist with huge personality. So sad to hear about her passing.

Melanie King said: Became familiar with when I worked at Bealls in Apopka Florida and met her. So sad to see and read this.

Janet Carlson said: I will miss her beautiful art.

Vic Toria said: My Husband and I always enjoyed visiting Leoma’s studio in Matlacha yearly! Many beautiful pieces in my home because of her gifted talent. What a huge loss for Florida. Leoma will be greatly missed.

Leoma Lovegrove: Did you know?

From the Leoma Lovegrove website:

• Leoma was a graduate of Florida’s prestigious Ringling School of Art.
• Bealls Florida Department Stores featured Leoma as their Florida artist under the designer label Leoma Lovegrove complete with her trademark eye glasses.
• In Atlanta, Georgia, Leoma’s portrait of Jimmy Carter hangs in his Presidential Library.
• Leoma’s art is in the private collection of the White House in Washington, DC and in President George W. Bush’s Presidential Library in Dallas, Texas. 
• Leoma’s artwork has also graced the windows at Rockefeller Center in New York City.
• Internationally, Leoma was commissioned to paint a portrait of Richard Branson for the Virgin Airlines Headquarters in London.
• Leoma’s Beatles Series drew the attention of the city of Liverpool.
• Leoma was the first American to paint on the replica of Claude Monet’s floating studio in Giverny, France.
• Leoma was honored to be the first American artist to exhibit, An American in Giverny in the famous Pierre Bonnard home in Vernon, France.

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