Like an absentminded connection between your brain and your creative side, the act of doodling is effortless and playful. It sparks ideas, helps us with concentration, provides stress relief and in the case of artist Richard Vecchione, it even served as a springboard for more complex and detailed artwork down the road. Vecchione remembers doodling as a teenager, mostly creating comic strips about events and people that he encountered in the hub of any high school, the cafeteria. He recalls, “Drawing and painting became fun for me. Family and friends were always very encouraging, so when it came time to think about college, art school was the clear choice for me.”

Vecchione studied at The Art Institute in Boston in the Graphic Design program, which was renamed and currently exists under the umbrella of Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. One summer, on a visit to Provincetown while he was still in school, he met the woman who would later become his wife. Despite Vechione still being in school at the time, they took the leap and got married, with a slight caveat from his bride: she would move to Cape Cod if he found a job in graphic design. The artist says, “Ironically, I got a job right away! I became an art director at On-Cape Lithographers, which was the largest printing company on Cape at the time. Jumping right into printing was the perfect step after learning graphic design in the classroom—I got to see how my work was printed.” The move was one that shaped their lives in ways they never could have imagined back then, as now the Vecchiones have been married for 56 years—still on Cape Cod, but now joined by their daughters and grandchildren. 

Following that role, Vecchione opened his own graphic design company, Trademark, on Main Street in Hyannis where he spent several years honing his craft and earning the respect and business of locals, including Cape Cod Life Publications’ founder Brian Shortsleeve, who hired Vecchione decades ago to design a few of the magazine’s earliest issues. “As a graphic designer I had many accounts on the Cape as well as in Boston, some notable local accounts included International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), and Cape Abilities,” he says. Vecchione was able to utilize his illustrative and watercolor skills, enhancing his design career and setting himself apart in the field. His evolution from a commercial artist to a watercolorist reflects his connection to the art world and his personal journey as a creative.

Vecchione’s work is not just a celebration of the landscape, but also a reflection of his personal connection to the place he calls home. His appreciation for nature, the changing seasons and the things he sees every day is evident in every brushstroke, as he captures moments in time. 

A master of light and shadow, Vecchione brings a unique character to his paintings, often balancing realism with a touch of abstract. “Most of my work is in watercolor, which has an unforgiving quality at times,” he says. “The attraction is that I can paint very loosely in some areas but can be very precise in others. The difficulty is painting light to dark. I like to be realistic and I love contrast. I think that’s the graphic designer in me.” His transition from graphic design to fine art has allowed him to experiment with expressive techniques, capturing the essence of the Cape Cod landscape and its vibrant natural beauty. He creates evocative pieces that invite viewers to experience the tranquility and charm of our region. Vecchione offers humbly, “I like the idea that some of my paintings look realistic enough to make you take a closer look.”

With his work, Dick Vecchione proves that sometimes, the most profound artistic journeys begin right outside your door.

Visit the artist’s website at rvcapecodart.com or see his work at The Gallery on Main in Falmouth, across from the library.