Matlacha, an artist’s village in Southwest Florida, never fails to dazzle me with its colors. Some are the work of Mother Nature. Others come from the paintbrush of local artists and artisans.
Every second of my visits every thing I see is bright and full of life. There are just enough galleries and gift shops, ice cream parlors and bars to keep me happy for a sunny afternoon. I just left and I’m ready to go back already.
By the way, according to their website, it’s pronounced MAT-luh-SHAY!!
ⓒ Text and photos Mary K. Tilghman
The bright red of the bottle brush tree caught my eye — and the eye of a lot of bees.
Can you put bad news in a mailbox like this?
Need to set a spell. Matlacha merchants leave few chairs out for their friends.
The Blue Dog Bar and Grill’s logo makes me wonder about the story behind it.
Pelicans take a break on the canal behind Matlacha.
Just doggone pretty.
I meant to take picture of the delicious key lime pie ice cream from Great Licks but….
Just beyond the colorful business of Matlacha, a serene vista.
A Day Away Travel 
Hi from rainy and icy Finland! So pretty and colourful. We were in the area for New Years but didn’t have the time to visit Matlacha.
With relatives in the area every winter, Southwest Florida has become a special place. Hope you can visit another time and I hope to see your beautiful country one of these days.
Love the colors! been to Florida only to Miami on business, so I saw little of this side of the Sunshine State
Thank you. Miami’s wonderful. But the Gulf side of Florida has my heart.