Prospect Park, Frank Meuschke
It is 2014's end and my friend Frank is leaving town. It's epic.
Long Island native, Brooklyn resident and side-gardener, garlic farmer, New York City blogger, landscape painter. The real deal.
Out of here.
I found Frank's blog, NYC Garden a long time ago, in the infancy of my own blogging. We both started in 2007 (here is Frank's first post) and it is the rare blog I have read ever since. A staple. It is the only blog of which I am aware (er, aside from this one), that consistently chronicles daily life in this city.
His regular updates, his subject matter - essentially New York, but broken into flower gardening, vegetable gardening, food-loving, urban gardening, in-depth gardening analysis, environmental awareness, exploration of places I don't know, observation of, participation in and witness to local events - be they cultural, commercial or climactic - his writing style, his photography all held my attention and brought me back for more.
The road to the garlic farm
Frank will go on writing, I have no doubt, from the depths of the Midwest where he and his artist-wife Betsy are heading.
The hinterland calls them for many reasons, I am sure, but New York City is not kind to artists. Stratospheric rents, the quality-of-life compromises one makes to live in affordable space, the need for and complications of good studio space. The New York Times says art is not dead in the city, but the same city is hemorrhaging its creative talent. I know so many who have left.
The rest of the country will benefit.
Hudson Clove at the New Amsterdam Market
These moves require great courage, and I admire Frank and Betsy's grit.
Goodbye, Frank - and thank you.
That does take courage to move so far away from the big city. I enjoy Frank's blog and comments and will look forward to reading if there is life after NYC. (Henry and I are next......but where?). I wouldn't miss NJ at all (except maybe for pizza and bagels) :)
ReplyDeleteI do hope there will be more from Frank... and those paintings take my breath.
ReplyDeleteHi, here is something that might interest you: http://spitalfieldslife.com/ a uk Daily blog, by an author I don´t know but its quite a blog too.
ReplyDeleteGods Peace
Ann-sofie
Sorry he has left. As a born and bred, left and returned New Yorker, I grieve the loss of creative, resilient, imaginative people like Frank and his wife. They are people who keep our city interesting and vibrant.
ReplyDeleteI wish them the best in their new home and endeavors.
Hi Maria, I often read your blog almost as much as I read Franks.( my son). amd I thoroughly enjoy your blog.. You both create very interesting blogs. Your last article on Frank moving was extremely good.
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