"Linda"

I can't remember a time when Linda and I had a conversation where she didn't cry. Not necessarily sad tears, but tears of all kinds. You could say that she is emotional or you could say that she just has a deeper connection or understanding of things than most. Her ears are always open and her heart is forever embracing. She is one of the most empathetic and open people that I have yet to meet. 

"Joanne"
Joanne was once Dotty's right hand man, destined to be partners in crime for all of eternity. Joanne kept Dotty's explosive moods in check by balancing them out with her own soothing personality. Eventually Dotty was banned from Dunkin for slapping a girl. Joanne is now the mediator, or "Jesus," of Dunkin Donuts. She brings everyone together for better and for worse.

Ted "study" revised

"Ted, Finish"

Tom "Study"

Tom comes in around the same time every afternoon and stays even after we shut off the lights. In the beginning I thought it was odd and even a bit frustrating, but after all these years he has become like a piece of furniture; unobtrusive and like he was always meant to be there. I don't know what Tom's life is like outside of Dunkin Donuts, but it seems as though my work is a place for him to escape and to connect with people. His favorite book is about bunny rabbits. 

Ted "Study"

Ted didn't speak much except to ask for a cigarette once in a while, I think he must have been 

hard of hearing because no matter what I said, he always just smiled and laughed the way people do when they have no idea what you're talking about. He told me once that he had been unemployed for over 50 years. I'm not sure if he had a home or not. As of this writing, I haven't seen him for a long time. My girlfriend last saw him shuffling, the way he does with his head drooped and legs close together, around the mall. He's become a phantom. 

I have worked at Dunkin Donuts for several years and have encountered many types of people. People who endure adversity, who bring others together, who work long hours, have aspirations, unique interests and over-all have colorful lives that many people just don't see or know about. My paintings are meant to capture these moments, those golden seconds when the veil that we all wear comes down and our true selves are revealed. It's not always pretty or romanticized, these people are very real and deal with real circumstances. I prefer to depict them as close to the truth as possible. These are The Regulars of Dunkin Donuts.