It smells like black & milds across the city. Gutters lined with empty bottles, bad decisions, and a whole host of other lost objects. But aside from the state of the environment, this city is much like the others. There is life here.

Life that is constantly moving, sometimes slowly, but always moving. The architecture is somewhat colonial: old churches that resemble cathedrals, small castles with dungeons (probably), and streets lined with cast iron gates (the ones with the little spikes) intended to keep trespassers out. Does that include me? Probably, but I know enough about the nature of a city to not disrespect this serenity. Before I came here, there was already a connection to this city; as an artist my job is to seek truth, not ruin the reality that exists here.

What is the reality of New Jersey? It is rough, real rough. Beggars line the sidewalks, mothers carrying multiple children wearing hand-me-down clothes, police vehicles parked on every corner. Yet, I have not felt a threat, not in the way that people describe this place. Yes, it is dirty, but what city over 200,000 doesn’t have a little bit of litter? Plus, the grime adds to the glory of this land.