Scratch the Surface is a work in progress. It is a fine art/documentary project about the poverty side of Miami, Florida. I am sharing their stories and my belief about stereotypes and prejudging. I believe that ultimately, we all seek contentment in life, regardless of our situation. On my encounters, I am seeking the happiness that exists and to remind the viewer of our shared humanity. With each image there is accompanying text; instead of drawing uninformed conclusions, the viewer must pause for a bit of insight, to uncover commonalities, and perhaps to be surprised by some of them.
EXCERPT: I saw her from a distance, sitting on the grass across from the beach, taking off a sweater. I thought to myself, perhaps she is waiting for someone, or perhaps she is a local, taking a break from her day. As I walked nearer to her, she turned to lay on her belly, completely unaware that I had spotted her from a distance. As I approached, I paused as she adjusted her swimsuit bottom underneath her shorts. I waited a bit, trying to decide if I would be disturbing her, but I said hello and asked her name. She looked up at me and simply said, "Janice." I asked her where she was from. She did not answer. I asked if I could take her picture: "Yes." She lifted herself to her elbows. Her breast had fallen out of her low-cut swimsuit top.
She reached in her bag then looked down at her exposed chest. I turned away to give her privacy. A moment later I turned around, and she was standing next to me. I discovered what she was rummaging for: she was looking for her shoes - flip flops: proper beach attire. She told me about her bathing suit. She told me she liked them low-cut and showed it to me, holding back her button-up, striped shirt so that I could have a better view of it.