Meld a creative drive, love of color and design, and passion for Judaism. Ron Sohn, our magazine’s cover artist, has successfully forged his own unique artistic style, developing a way to share his talents and spread joy and light.
Born and raised in Brookline, MA, Ron always loved to draw. His artistic parents shared both their genetic inclination for artistic expression, and had art around the house, making it a normal part of life for Ron. He started with classes in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts at age 6 and continued with after school classes and high school electives.
Ron decided to pursue a more practical and marketable path than fine arts, and earned a business degree at Northeastern University while taking graphic design and advertising electives at the New England School of Art & Design, later earning an MBA. He currently lives in Elizabeth, NJ with his wife Emunah and their four children.
In 1985 Ron spent a year studying Torah in the Old City of Jerusalem. “Until that time my art had been primarily secular, including some science fiction book covers for Simon and Schuster. I had an art studio in the Old City, and incorporated the ideas I was learning in yeshiva into my art. I feel that my talent was a gift from Heaven and use it to portray my love of Judaism and the Land of Israel.”
Ron’s work is distinctive because of 
his bright palette and innovative designs. “Much of Ju
daic art over the centuries has been monochromatic,” he says. “I want to show the rich history and vibrant inspiration of Jewish life though color.”
Browsing through bookstores, he may get the kernel of inspiration for various book covers designs. “Sometimes I see a striking composition, and think how to transform that idea into a Jewish one.”
Ron gets many ideas while praying, when visual images of the words and ideas of the prayer book or Torah come to him. “About 95% of my ideas come from the text. My work is carefully structured and planned. First a black and white pencil sketch, then color pencil or pastel compositions, and then I transfer it to the final canvas.”
Jews from all walks of life and observance appreciate his work. “People at art shows confide that their Jewish involvement is minimal, but they are proud Jews and want to have Judaica in their home or office. I also do unique commissions for Bar Mitzvahs, painting scenes or visual interpretations from the Torah portion, with content and commentary interwov
en. I also do custom Ketuvot and was recently commissioned to design the logo for the new Davidic Dynasty Museum which will open next year in Jerusalem.”
“My work is a way of sharing my love of Torah and Judaism,” Ron says. Working in his studio in the evening, he is constantly expanding his horizons. “Every new painting is also an opportunity to dig deep into the well of Jewish knowledge and share those inspirational insights with others.”
Ron can be reached at river100@aol.com.