Artist E.B. Ricci is almost done his latest portrait series, Dispossessed. Currently in between studios, a few of Ricci's pieces are on display at Tormasi Gallery in St. Catharines for the summer.

E.B. (Ernest) Ricci's recent portraits aren't of stunning models or smiling celebs.

Rather, the Welland-born artist's series, Dispossessed, focuses on universal themes of people with something missing. So far up to 50 pieces and underway for about 10 years, Ricci illustrates the message through slightly misshaped and colourless faces with oil on canvas as the medium.

"People will perceive it as being dark, but I find sometimes the most enlightening portraits are dark," said the Centennial graduate. "I think they're more honest."

Ricci's goal was to create a series people could relate to. Being "deprived possession of something," he said, are feelings everyone experiences.

"I think all of us, at some time, are missing something, something we don't have or something that was taken," said Ricci. "The best compliment I can have is for someone to come up to me and say 'I've been there.' "

Three selections of Dispossessed are currently being displayed at Tormasi Art Gallery in St. Catharines until the end of the summer. With the set almost complete, he said sometimes even he is surprised with the all-encompassing image of Dispossessed.

"It's close to finishing, but when I look back at it, there are times when it just happened," said Ricci.

"You step back and say 'I've got problems,' " he laughed.

But if art is reflection of life, then he's not the only one. Ricci said Dispossessed really feels like raw emotion laid out on a page.

"I definitely think if this work gets the right exposure, it can impact those who have the eyes to do it," said Ricci.

His personal opus, Ricci also wonders what impact the series could have on his art career.

"I don't think I can paint," he said. "I know I can paint. I've paid my dues. I don't want to come across as arrogant, but I do know that I'm on to something."

Currently in between studios, Ricci is expressing interest in opening in the Niagara Falls downtown, , home to Melanie Mullen's 4555 gallery. He said he liked how Mullen's "creative thinking" has kickstarted culture in the area.

"I was really interested in what's going on," said Ricci. "It's a vibrant scene, it seems."