Giovanni Casadei was born and raised in Rome and now lives in Philadelphia, but the professional artist’s favorite place to paint is Ocean City. “What I really like is the opportunity to express big distance,” he said. “You have the horizon, and it goes on forever. Growing up in Rome, and living in Philadelphia there are certainly opportunities as an artist, but nothing can compare to the vastness, the peacefulness of the sky and the ocean, at the beach.”

Casadei spends part of his summer with friends by the sea in Ocean City, peddling around the island on his beach cruiser in search of something intriguing to paint. Armed with all the equipment he needs to set up shop, he is never disappointed.