Shepherdstown’s iconic Potomac River bridges star in an art show, “Ricco Paints: Bridges of Shepherdstown” opening Saturday, Nov. 14.

The James Rumsey Bridge, the railroad bridge, and the 100+-year old stone bridge pilings are all subjects of recent paintings by Riccardo Accurso. The public is invited to an opening reception for the exhibit, at Ricco Gallery from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the Nov. 14. The gallery is located at 125 West German Street, next door to The Press Room restaurant.

Accurso is known in Shepherdstown as a master jeweler and gallery owner, but has also always enjoyed painting. In recent years he has become increasingly fascinated with the challenge of painting scenes that include water—seascapes and lakes, as well as many views of the Potomac in this region.

Water as a subject for painting speaks to him, Accurso said, because “I grew up near San Francisco and the Pacific Ocean. The reflection of the light, the motion of waterfor me have a sort of spiritual quality. This reminds me that the species itself originated in water.”

Most of the paintings in the exhibit are in watercolor. The logistics of painting in watercolor-such as while sitting on the bank of the Potomac River, are easy, Accurso said.

“You just break out your box of colors, brush, water and paint and you are in business,” he said.

But with acrylic paintings, some represented in the show, he continued, “you have to know ahead of time where you are going with a painting, because if you don’t the paint will dry up” before you finish the next brush stroke. The advantage, however, is that “you get much more color”

Accurso is a self-taught artist who has been painting since he was a child. The first public showing of his work was earlier this year, at Ricco Gallery.

The show will be on display through the end of the year. Hours for the rest of November are Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 304-870-4175 or email: ricco@riccogallery.com .