Drawn To Cleveland’s Music Scene

Ralph Solonitz is a big talent. You’ve seen his work in Cool Cleveland.

And, wherever Ralph goes, he doodles. Sometimes on white paper, sometimes on a napkin and, more recently, he’s begun doodling on his smart phone.

Ralph’s recent collection is focused on Cleveland’s thriving live music scene. On Fri 6/7 he’s bringing this collection to the Tara Seibel Studio and Gallery in Little Italy.

I was fortunate enough to get a sneak peek into the art and I can tell you the mood he captures will resonate with many: it’s colorful, it’s charismatic and it’s vibrant.

I also asked Ralph a few questions and, as usual, the artist with a big heart and an even a bigger sense of humor made me laugh.

Cool Cleveland: You’ve been an illustrator for how long?

Ralph Solonitz: I started doing abstract non-representational geometric sketches with crayons when I was 4 years old…moved to dirty pictures in junior high school and took an art class in my senior high school year.

Your new show focuses on Cleveland music. What is the inspiration behind this theme at this moment?

Mostly to experience the joy of live music while relaxing with an ink pen in one hand and a vodka tonic in the other.

Why Little Italy?

The Tara Seibel Gallery has been gracious in the past by featuring my work. She is serious about theme exploration. My work is visual and yet if you put your ears to the art, you will hear a drum beat…Baboom teh…baboom teh…baboom teh. This might be the gas meter on the other side of the wall. Nevertheless, a good beat.

What do you hope the viewers and purchasers of your art come away with? What do you want to resonate?

I hope to share the feeling I got when I created the art: alive with movement and feeling.

What’s next for you?

I have several other drawing interests: coffee shops, restaurants and pizza joints in our city. Also my “droidles,” which are created on my smartphone with my index finger, a simple paint program that can be downloaded for free. I’m putting on hold the illustrations of men’s rooms till I find that unique audience. Thinking that through carefully.

View Drawn To Cleveland’s Music Scene – work by Ralph Solonitz on Fri 6/7 at 7pm @ the Tara Siebel Studio/Gallery above Presti’s in Cleveland’s Historic Little Italy. 12107 Mayfield Road. 216-375-0760. http://taraseibel.blogspot.com

Reprinted with permission and gratitude from CoolCleveland.com.