There is a picturesque quality to John Ricciardi’s paintings that invites the viewer to step into them, to spend time on his colorful beaches, his quaint streets, and his sweeping cat boats. Through this, they might just learn a bit more about the beauty of the Cape and Islands.

After growing up in Massachusetts and spending time living in Florida, Ricciardi moved back to the Cape in his 50s, he says, “for obvious reasons.” He was first introduced to creating art when a friend introduced him to a well-known artist in the area. Seeing another artist at work—their studio, and easel, and paints—he thought, “I can do this,” and set about learning how to make his own. Now just turning 80, Ricciardi has been perfecting his craft for 30 wonderful years.

Ricciardi says his early explorations with oil paints were, “like grabbing a tiger by the tail,” but after attending workshops with influential artists across the country, he started to find his voice. “You have to create a lot of bad paintings before you get to the good ones,” he says. He credits workshops in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico as being “very formative” in shaping him into the artist he is today.

Ricciardi transitioned to using acrylic paints some years ago after being pleased by their quick drying time. This allows him to add to his paintings and change or adapt his ideas easily. While he usually paints in his indoor studio, during the summer, Ricciardi takes his easels outside, often painting at beaches in Osterville and Cotuit, to get closer to his subject material—the natural beauty of the Cape. “The Cape is full of history. It has so much feeling and character,” Ricciardi says, and it shows through his work.

When Ricciardi finds a suitable subject, he says he tries to wrap his arms around it, and find a tangibile element to focus on. Often this manifests in landscapes and seascapes, yet also resonates as he delves into portraits as well. Whether the subject of his work be a birdhouse or a beachgoer, the surrounding environment provides an interplay prompting the viewer to explore the entire scene. Ricciardi, who often paints boats, sees them as a form of escapism for its passengers, especially “graceful” sailboats, which are a recurring theme in his work. “There are so many colors in a nautical scene: the lines, the sail, the way the light catches the water. It’s all iconic,” he explains.

Ricciardi’s paintings are often cheerful or peaceful, which he says admirers of his work are quick to point out. “The Cape is a happy place,” he explains. He extrapolates on these strong emotional ties to the area in his work, giving the viewer, “a quick feeling of place” through his canvases. He often enjoys simplifying scenes from real life, playing with taking things out and reframing photos and memories in order to fixate on specific landmarks or ideas.

Ricciardi says that for him, painting is therapeutic, a time for him to put aside the worries and stresses of the outside world. “Everything else just fades away,” he says. It’s just him, the easel, and a marvelous view.

John Ricciardi is represented by Sheldon Fine Art Gallery in Newport, RI. On the Cape, his work can be seen in shows, exhibits and sales like Cotuit’s Brush Off, PAAM, and Eldred’s. Follow along on his Instagram @ricciardijart.