Explore Frank Spring’s captivating journey, where a world traveler’s generosity met a true artist’s heart. Frank’s vibrant life unfolded through business acumen and philanthropy, leaving an indelible mark of service to others.

Delve into his artistic realm, where paintings, sculptures, and photography became windows to his inner world, capturing personal and spiritual odysseys. Frank’s creations weren’t mere art; they were a reflection of a lifetime dedicated to self-discovery and spiritual growth.

Frank’s story is a testament to living authentically against external pressures. Join us in celebrating Frank Spring’s legacy – a profound artist, a generous spirit, and an unwavering champion of authenticity. His life and work inspire all who seek to align with their true selves while making a positive impact.

Frank’s Early Years

Frank Spring, Jr. was born in 1948, in a post-World War II era marked by national aspirations for peace and the task of rebuilding the nation while continuing the industrial revolution. During this time, American families often found themselves in neatly arranged suburbs, where the benefits of post-WWII Corporate America favored single earner households, typically with women at home and men in the workplace.

Frank Jr.’s early childhood was framed as the only son and middle child of five, with a sister five years his senior and another sister just 15 months younger. His primary caregiver was Lucy, his mom, as Frank Sr’s work for General Electric frequently took him on extensive travels. The family was uprooted when Frank Sr was transferred from Boston to western Pennsylvania, distancing them from their extended family in Boston. Their red brick Pennsylvania home, perched atop a hill, offered a view of an orderly grid of streets leading to St. Gabriel’s parish church and school on the adjacent hill. These tidy suburban homes mirrored conventional expectations for boys and girls, who were typically groomed for specific roles: young men were expected to excel in sports and attend college, while young women focused on home economics or business skills such as shorthand and typing.

However, Frank Jr. didn’t quite fit these expectations. His passion for drawing, dancing, singing, and exploring the world clashed with the mid-20th centuries pressures to conform. By 1960 it was evident he was marching to the beat of his own drum. Frank Jr. faced the challenge of meeting the societal expectations of pursuing a college education for a practical career while also enjoying the unique privileges of international travel and summer sojourns in New York City.

Ultimately, he left home for the last time to attend Ohio State University, where he remarkably completed his degrees in Psychology, Theatre and Urban Planning in just three years. Frank never returned to Pennsylvania. The true tale of Frank Spring unfolds in the following years.

London and Malcolm

While it’s common for young individuals to experiment with a vagabond lifestyle, moving from one city to another without a clear plan, Frank’s experience was particularly profound, marked by the backdrop of a society in upheaval. His journey was a transformative one, leading to a better understanding of his own sexuality, the breaking of family bonds, experimentation with mind altering substances, and a rapid transition from employment in Chicago to New York, eventually leaving the United States altogether for London. What set Frank’s journey apart was his unwavering confidence that his early career success in book publishing, specializing in design and art direction, would serve as a valuable foundation for his endeavors in Great Britain.

Personal growth is often ignited by the people we cross paths with, and for Frank, that person was Malcolm Hoare. The specifics of how they met were never divulged by Frank, perhaps due to the nature of his social life within the gay community or connected to Malcolm’s early career as a male photographer. However, the details of their initial encounter are of little significance compared to the remarkable love story that unfolded between them.

Malcolm and Frank quickly discovered the perfect complement in each other. Malcolm’s magnetic charisma was only overshadowed by his boundless creative vision. Frank, on the other hand, possessed a sharp eye for beauty and an innate ability to meticulously organize and execute complex plans. Their mutual passion for global exploration and fearlessness in the world of business culminated in the creation of Interlink Productions, Incorporated. This company specialized in multimedia presentations that spanned across continents and industries.

The Interlink Productions Years

Interlink Productions made an indelible mark in the industry by amassing a plethora of awards and accolades. The company achieved recognition for its outstanding projects such as “With Classics in Mind” for Polygram Classics & Jazz, “The Leonard Bernstein Tribute” for Deutsche Grammophon, the “IBM Customer Center” for IBM, and “Jungle Shoes” for The Cousteau Society, and numerous ventures within the pharmaceutical sector for esteemed producers like Hoffman LaRoche, Norwich Eaton, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Pfizer, to name just a few.

The versatility of Interlink Productions extended across a diverse array of industries including global transport, manufacturing, information services, stage and musical productions, clinical research, and consumer goods. Their creative work, focused on making information accessible through multimedia presentations, transcended geographical boundaries, marking a legacy of excellence. Regrettably, this journey was abruptly interrupted by the untimely passing of Malcolm in 1994.

Post-Malcolm: An Artist Emerges

Frank’s resilience was nothing short of remarkable. The profound loss of Malcolm, his life partner, soulmate, business collaborator, creative counterpart, lover and best friend brought about a jarring disruption to the world Frank had known. Yet, he found the inner strength to continue, even in the face of this monumental void. He pushed forward with Interlink Productions, forming new alliances and orchestrating collaborations across creative domains.

As the years passed and the calendar flipped to 2000, Frank began to realize that his heart was no longer fully vested in the world he had co-crafted with Malcolm. The memories, the business, and the city of London itself had become repositories of profound pain. He made the resolute decision to return permanently to their shared home in New York, embarking on a quest to rediscover purpose and meaning.

Frank found solace and rejuvenation through philanthropy, as a founding member of Classical Action: Performing Arts Against AIDS, and reigniting his passion for art. In Frank’s own candid words penned in February 2001, he grappled with a sense of fragmentation in his life, navigating various responsibilities that tugged him in multiple directions. Despite the persistent anxiety about London and the multifaceted roles he shouldered, he embraced the therapeutic power of art as a means to harmonize the disparate pieces of his existence.

Stepping away from his multimedia work as Interlink Productions, Frank delved into painting with a meticulous and technical approach. His journals brimmed with contemplations on selecting the ideal surfaces for his artistic expressions. Frank sought to transcend conventional boundaries by experimenting with various materials to infuse his substrates with a sense of complexity. This exploratory spirit led him to incorporate unconventional elements such as sand, ground glass, and even the seemingly humble coffee grounds into his artwork.

His quest for depth extended beyond the visual realm. In the pages of his book, Seeking, Frank passionately shared his aspirations for his art. He not only aimed to captivate viewers through the harmonious play of colors and textures but also to engage them on a tactile level. Frank envisioned a dynamic connection between his art and its audience, a connection that would extend beyond the visual experience and invite viewers to explore his creations with their hands, thus forging a deeper connection with his work.

Untitled: A Man’s Head 

On a modest bookshelf, nestled within a plain black metal frame, rested a seemingly unassuming yet profoundly significant artifact in Frank’s life. Measuring nearly 4 by 6 inches, this unadorned piece resembles a postcard, offering no name or exposition. Yet, it occupied a place of unwavering reverence among Frank’s cherished possessions.

This unspoken treasure marks the inception of Frank’s artistic journey, and expedition into the realm of painting that commenced during the summer of 2000. Abandoning the constraints of formal technique or structured plans, Frank bravely grasped a paintbrush, embarking on a voyage of self-expression. His inaugural masterpiece took the form of a man’s head, carefully rendered upon the unpretentious canvas of Bristol board.

Upon close examination of this diminutive, yet profound creation, one can discern the minutest brush strokes, woven together to craft an intricate tapestry of color and emotion. The man’s visage bears an expression of boundless wonder and ceaseless inquiry. His gaze extends into the distance, mirroring the trajectory of Frank’s artistic odyssey. Much like the man in the painting, Frank cast his eyes toward the horizon, embarking on an uncharted quest in search of the elusive treasures of time and the unwavering confidence of an artist.

The Story of The Aspirant (2003)

In “The Aspirant” Frank depicts himself as an angelic figure floating against a backdrop resembling an abstract classical-style sunset or dawn. The sky in the painting isn’t a seamless expanse but rather a reflection, like light passing through a skyscraper’s windows or a church’s stained glass. It exudes a sense of hard geometry rather than free-flowing beauty. In the artwork, Frank’s eyes are filled with tears, and he holds a cross.

Frank paints himself as elevated above unattainable aspirations with a portrayal of what’s perfectly imperfect. The joy of beauty moves us to tears, as does the pain of beauty that seems just out of reach. The life of an aspirant, one who seeks the elusive, is bittersweet, a path not easily traveled by everyone. And this is where art and artists come in. Frank embodied both capturing the essence of the human struggle, the oscillation between giving and receiving, and the ever-changing seasons of life. It’s a testament to the power of embracing both joy and sorrow, loss and gain.

The Embrace (2004)

Within this painting, one can discern two cats engage in a complex interplay. Their interaction can be interpreted as a battle or a performance, reminiscent of the multifaceted nature of Frank’s relationships. Frank aptly named this artwork “The Embrace,” encapsulating the essence of his connections based on love, service, and a commitment to his friends, family, artistic creations and personal desires.

As you gaze into the eyes of these larger-than-life felines, a range of emotions unfolds. There’s an evident sense of both anticipation and surprise, captured in their penetrating gazes as they seek a response. One cat bites into the other, raising questions about how this act will be perceived and understood. This image invites contemplation on the nature of human interactions, the complexity of emotions, and the diverse interpretations of our actions and intentions.

The Story of “Prison of Enchantment” (2012)

In “Prison of Enchantment” Frank created a captivating portrayal of a bird confined within a cage gazing out toward a radiant light. Within the confines of the cage, Frank meticulously depicted a vibrant garden, complete with flawless flowers and leaves, alongside some that were broken, symbolizing the intricate tapestry of life with its moments of perfection and imperfection.

Notably, hidden within the intricate feathers of the bird is a silhouette of a man, arms outstretched and yearning to reach the radiant light. The expression of the bird’s face carries a melancholic tinge as it peers through the wires of the cage, seemingly oblivious to the breaks within the structure that the flourishing garden has created. These breaks, as Frank envisioned, could serve as a path to escape into the brilliant light.

The thought-provoking piece raises a profound question: does the bird truly desire to break free and pursue its longings, or does it find contentment within the lush garden? Frank’s work captures the essence of life choices, as we are all confronted with the decision to remain in our comfort zones or embark on the journey toward our aspirations. “Prison of Enchantment” reminds us of the complexity of human existence and the interplay of desires, contentment, and the pursuit of our dreams.

The Story of Oasis (2017)

Around 2015, Frank’s self-doubts reached a peak. He was in the midst of painting a large, elegant red bird hovering over a garden. At that point he abruptly stopped working. He had to step away from his easel, and for several months, he didn’t pick up a paintbrush. It seemed as though he couldn’t simultaneously grapple with his doubts and wield his brush.

It’s not clear precisely what helped him navigate this challenging period. Perhaps it was spiritual work with his partner, Tom, or the enduring love of his sisters or his close friendships. Somehow Frank found the inner strength to choose the brush and choose himself. During his hiatus, he came to realize that painting could be more about self-expression than pleasing others, and that the act of painting could serve as a sanctuary.

This newfound perspective led Frank to rename the painting he had abandoned, the one with the graceful red bird, Oasis. Not only did he change its name, but he also modified the canvas itself. This transformation might not seem like a big deal to some, but for Frank, who cherished control and meticulous planning, it signified a significant shift.

If you examine Oasis now, you’ll find in the final version alongside the graceful bird there is a small artist palette with a smiling face. It replaces the original plan, which featured a flower in that exact location. This change is a new self-portrait of Frank as an artist in his Oasis. Subsequently, his approach became more liberated. While he still planned some of his pieces, the experience of Oasis gave him permission to play, experiment, and trust his artistic instincts without excessive concern for how his work might be received.