Hanging the Show at the Art Museum

Because of a quick show turnaround time the St. George Art Museum, it was "all hands on deck" as we went to work hanging my one man show. Having owned a gallery for many years, Nellie and I are experienced at hanging art, so with help and guidance from Deborah Reeder, Ramona Larson, and April Cummings we launched into the project. By afternoon the show was hung and we all think it looks terrific. I have about 28 original watercolor paintings on display along with sketchbook drawings and educational displays describing the watercolor painting process. We open Friday March 30 with an artist reception from 6pm to 8pm.

A very early watercolor painting

I had a a surprise visit from collector, Joyce Oveson, who brought in one of my very first watercolor paintings for cataloging. She had purchased the painting from the original owner back in 1982 then moved from the area and so I had no record of where it was. It's always fun to visit with my collectors, as I try to keep track of each painting and its whereabouts. Sometimes it becomes a challenge when paintings change hands or get passed on to others after a death. Joyce still treasures her little painting of a desert scene called "Desert Shadows."

Ansel Adams Photo Exhibit

Ansel Adams, Cathedral Peak, 1938. ©2006 The Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust.

Nellie and I spent the last week in Sacramento at a Public Lands conference where I was representing Zion National Park. In between conference sessions we were able to slip away and visit a wonderful exhibit of Yosemite photographs by Ansel Adams at the Crocker Art museum. In addition to photos from the permanent collection there were a series from a horseback trip he took with Georgia O'Keefe and others in 1938. As everyone knows Adams worked in black and white using the "zone system" to cover a wide range of grays and middle values. While I had seen many of his photographs, it was exciting to see photos actually printed by his own hand and signed in pencil. What a spectacular exhibit!

March 2007 Roland Lee Painting Workshop

I enjoyed having another group of fine artists at my March 2007 Watercolor Painting Workshop in St. George. Our focus was on painting the red rock landscape in watercolor. The weather was so great we ditched the classroom for awhile and slipped up on the red hill for a little sketching.

Our group came from several western states including four excellent watercolorists from Mesquite Nevada: Barbara Worley, Diane Taterka, Joanne Johansen, and Peggy Peterson. Bessann Peterson and Karen Bettilyon came down from Salt Lake City, Utah. Tyson Kartchner drove down from Boulder, Colorado while Pat Gibson travelled from Willow Creek, Montana. Lola Krummenacher and Glen Bessonette were repeat students from the St. George, Utah area.

Becky Whitney hosted the class at Passion for Painting Gallery and had stretched a Happy Birthday banner across the room for my birthday. She also gave me a birthday gift of a fantastic Anderson French Easel. I love it because you don't have to wrestle with the legs -- they slide out and snap quickly into place. I can't wait to try it out.

Tyson Kartchner from Boulder Colorado studies the value and colors of shadows on the red hills above St. George, Utah.

Glen Bessonette works on a sketchbook drawing during the Roland Lee painting workshop.

Sandstone Towers Zion Painting

I began this painting "Sandstone Towers" as a live demonstration at the Kayenta Art Festival. During the course of the demo Leslie Layton, a previous collector, was so excited about it she wanted to buy the painting on the spot. I encouraged her to wait until the painting was completed and agreed to let her see it first before putting it on the website. She saw the finished piece today and snapped it up along with two other small original paintings.




the painting started with a small thumbnail sketch.

Partially completed, you can see the basic underglazes which create texture and warmth on the cliffs. I am preserving the white areas in the foreground for tree branches and details.

Here I am hard at work on the painting during the Kayenta Art Festival. I finished the painting later in my studio.

Roland Lee Painting Auctioned for College Scholarships

Each year I donate an original painting to the Dixie State College Foundation's annual Fire and Ice banquet and auction. My painting "Rio Virgin in Zion" was purchased tonight by Ralph and Cheri Atkin, long-time collectors, for $4800.00. All of the money will help needy students with full and partial scholarships to Dixie State College. A number of previous collectors were on hand to join in the bidding, but eventually the Atkins won the auction.

I enjoyed chatting with another collector, Boyd Silver, after the event. He has three of my original watercolors. I appreciate so much all the collectors who have purchased my paintings over the years and really enjoy seeing them again.