Metropolitan Gardening

T he Urban Garden Center is creating a consumer center for sustainable living and life style. The design of the center it's self is a great challenge because of the location under a train trestle. On the other hand the plant selection and prices as well as the shopping experience is top notch. This past weekend the center teamed up with New York Restoration Project to give away 100 trees for free. I spent the day wandering among the plants and meeting with the folks that came to browse and hang out. In addition to the "Green House" showroom for shabby chic housewares and plants - there's a patio area with seating and a planned lunch menu from neighbors Labodega Gourmet @LaMarqueta. I'll be working with Dimitri on some community education workshops in the weekends to come. This spring and summer the trestle will offer a shady garden in the heart of Harlem.

A bstract expressionism's allure brought me here a few years ago when I settled in New York City to do media based art. The lore of New York City's rich heritage in art communities was intrigueing. However recently ventured outdoors to do some gardening. After last summer 's commercial work - a change was needed and so engaged in environmental restoration and ecological education. There's a quaint connection for the period where Pollack was working for the FAP. In any case the oil paintings / oil pastels shown here are prophetic of a current floral perception - now it's become clear how important the natural world outside is.