When last spring ’ s restaurant shutdowns went into effect , Kevin O ’ Connor got right to work . The Persimmon dining | |
room and bar manager and artist was inspired by people he knew on the frontlines of the hospitality industry who were masking | |
up to keep themselves and each other safe . He began illustrating people who work in bars and restaurants as well as close friends | |
on the frontlines by requesting photos of them wearing masks . |
in grocery stores , bars or restaurants ,” he says . “ You can see it and |
More than a year later , he has produced nearly seventy portraits |
I certainly feel it myself working at a restaurant .” There is a certain |
in ink , pencil , black and white charcoal and acrylic paint on paper . |
emotion in the eyes of each portrait even when their facial expressions |
“ The whole idea is that they should be displayed in a group and |
are masked . “ I would say it ’ s a look of anxiety , maybe even |
each illustration shows the person ’ s unique persona and identity , |
exhaustion ,” he says . As we reach the home stretch of suppressing |
from their hairstyles to their eyes and facial structures , but everyone |
the coronavirus and more people are getting vaccinated , there is |
is doing the same thing , which is wearing a mask and protecting one |
also a feeling of hope for the future . But we will never forget what we |
another at the same time .” O ’ Connor chose to focus on hospitality |
have all been through . “ It ’ s a way to immortalize on a more personal |
workers for the project because the industry is like a family to him . |
level everything that has happened in the past year or so ,” |
He also saw the mental and physical toll the pandemic was taking on |
O ’ Connor says . |
his friends and acquaintances who work in restaurants . “ There is | |
a certain level of anxiety when it comes to being in the hospitality |
See most of O ’ Connor ’ s portraits on Instagram at instagram . com / |
industry . It ’ s almost like you become an enforcement officer for |
bar _ illustrated , or visit Moniker Brewery in Providence for a wall |
things that everyone is supposed to be doing without prompt , and |
dedicated to his work . O ’ Connor can also be hired for personal , family |
that can be very stressful , especially for people who are working |
and pet portraits . |
RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l MAY 2021 21 | |