You are invited! Paintings of Europe and Tuscany Show Starts Thursday Dec 11

Castle Neuschwanstein in Germany - Roland Lee watercolor painting

Tuscan Countryside in Italy - Roland Lee watercolor painting

A new show of paintings from my October trip to Germany, Switzerland, and Italy will open Thursday December 11 at the Roland Lee Gallery. I will have about 15 new original paintings on display. Please stop by the gallery anytime from 10am to 6pm Thursday Dec 11, 10am to 9pm Friday Dec 12 in conjunction with the St. George Art Walk, and 10am to 5pm Saturday Dec 13. Also on display will be paintings of southern Utah including Zion and Bryce Canyons. Everyone who stops by will receive a free box of 16 Christmas art cards featuring Roland Lee winter paintings. The Roland Lee Gallery is located next to the Pioneer Courthouse and Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum at 165 North 100 East #2, St. George UT 84770. 435-673-1988. www.rolandlee.com

Italian sheep grazing - original Watercolor by Roland Lee

Swiss window box - Original by Roland Lee

New Roland Lee Paintings from Europe Art Show December 11 - 31

You are invited to an art show and sale of new paintings from my recent trip to Italy, Germany, and Switzerland. I have been working on both small and large paintings which include the colorful medieval cities of Italy, the Tuscan countryside, Canals of Venice, Swiss Alps, and even the intriguing Neuschwanstein Castle of Germany. The paintings are at the framers now and will be ready to show beginning December 11 in my downtown studio. Stop by and take a look. Hours will be from 10am to 5pm weekdays. My studio is located at 165 North 100 East #2, St. George UT 84770. Here is a sample of what you'll see:

Roland Lee painting of Ponte Vecchio in Florence Italy

Roland Lee painting of town square in Lucca Italy

Roland Lee painting of Lucca Italy towers from the town wall

Roland Lee painting of Gondola in Venice Italy

Roland Lee Plein Air Paintings at the Zion National Park Plein Air Art Show

At the request of many of my students I am posting some of the plein air watercolor paintings completed at the Zion National Park Plein Air Art Festival.  Plus a little about my outdoor painting equipment and supplies. All these paintings were done on Arches 140 pound watercolor paper using mostly Daniel Smith watercolor paints. I usually paint smaller than 1/4 sheet when I paint outdoors. Most of the time I paint using a Sienna pochade box and tripod, or Anderson easel, but when I get tired I just sit in my favorite folding chair and hold my painting in my lap as I work. As always, I keep all my supplies in my trusty Toyota pickup and camper. It was ideal for this week's work in Zion. Loaded with art supplies, snack foods, ice cooler, and a nice bed for an afternoon nap, it is the ideal support vehicle for outdoor painting.

I am using a Sienna All Purpose Pochade box adapted perfectly for watercolors

My super-duper art support vehicle. A 1988 Toyota four-wheel drive pickup with 1992 Six Pac Super Mini camper. Perfect for a week painting outdoors in Zion National Park. 

A comfortable painting set-up with two Eldajon watercolor palettes on a Sienna easel that easily adjusts to my 6 foot 2 inch height.

Roland Lee Wins People's Choice Award at Zion National Park Plein Air Art Show

My wife, Nellie, shows off the certificate I won  for People's Choice at the Zion National Park Plein Air event

I was pleased to win the "People's Choice" award at the Zion National Park Plein Air Festival this year. What made it really cool is it also came with a $250 check. Yippee!

Zion National Park Plein Air Art Show Proves to be Most Successful Event Yet

Roland Lee plein air Painting of "Patriarch Falls at "Court of the Patriarchs" in Zion National Park

"Patriarch Falls" plein air painting at Zion National Park by Roland Lee

Huge crowds turned out to enjoy beautiful fall weather in the canyons at the Zion National Park Plein Air Art event last week. The 24 invited artists painted from dawn to dusk, did live demonstrations, and participated in "Quick finish" paintouts all week long. The week concluded with a "wet paint" sale of framed finished paintings in the Zion Nature Center. I was fortunate to sell most of my plein air paintings completed during the week, as well as four studio paintings exhibited concurrently at the Zion Human History Museum Art Show. Wow, it was exhausting but fun for the artists and the collectors.

Some people call this work! Painting in Pine Creek.

I had over 100 people show up for my watercolor painting demonstration on Tuesday afternoon. The demonstration painting was sold later at a silent auction event.

Over 100 people watched as I painted this painting. Each artist had about an hour to complete a painting, so it was pretty intense. It was purchased by Pam Frazier

Roland Lee works on his demonstration painting at the Zion Plein Air Festival

About 120 people watched at the Zion Human History Museum as artist roland Lee did a demonstration plein air watercolor painting

I am grateful to the many collectors who chose to purchase paintings during the week. 40% of all the sales went directly to the Zion National Park Foundation Youth Initiative Program which helps bring disadvantaged kids into the park. Several school groups were in the park during the week to watch the demos and experience the beauty of the land.

Former Zion National Park Superintendent Jock Whitworth has been a huge supporter of the event and has purchased many paintings

John Colosimo from Houston purchase my Saturday "Quick  Finish" painting

The Uhlingers from Monterey have attended the show for several years and again purchased one of my paintings

Jamie Coughtry from Ls Vegas purchased "Late in the Day" a plein air piece

Stanley Mogelson and Patti Riley from Florida purchased a painting of Court of the Patriarchs

Author Pam Frazier and her husband John from Sedona Arizona bought my demonstration painting "Somebody's Watching"

Zion National Park Plein Air Invitational Starts This Weekend

Roland Lee paints in Kolob Fingers area during Zion National Park Plein Air Art Invitational

The annual Zion National Park Plein Air Invitational Art Show kicks off this weekend. 24 artists are invited to paint outdoors in Zion National Park for a full week and participate in demonstrations and wet-paint sales. Check out the schedule of events. This is one of the biggest and most activity-filled plein air events in the nation, and of course, the scenery is unrivaled! I will do a live painting demonstration on Tuesday at the Zion Human History Museum, while other artists will demonstrate daily at different times. Plan to visit Zion during the week and find the artists working at different locations throughout the park. Or stop by on Saturday to see all 24 artists painting outdoors at the Zion Lodge, and bid on their paintings. All completed work will be framed and for sale at a wet-paint sale open to the public on Saturday November 8 at the Zion Nature Center.

Plein Air Painting at Fibonacci's new Main Street Gallery Opening

Roland Lee plein air paints historic Judd's Store during Saturday paint out at opening of Fibonacci's Main Street Gallery in St. George. Jason Bowen and Steve McGinty also painted nearby. 

It was great to join with fellow artists Steve McGinty and Jason Bowen for a day of outdoor painting as part of our Three-man Show at Fibonacci's new Main Street Gallery in St. George, Utah. All three of us set up around the corner from the gallery on Tabernacle street, and chose different locations to paint. I parked my faithful art camper across the street from Judd's Store where I could stand in its shade while I painted. Later that day the plein air paintings were available at a silent auction. Thanks to Wade Wixom for organizing the event and taking this cool photo.

Fibonacci's Main Street Gallery is located in the beautifully restored Main Street Theater and Ballroom building in historic St. George Utah

Plein Air painting of historic Judd's Store in downtown St. George, UT.

New Fibonacci Main Street Gallery Celebrates Opening with Three Man Show This Weekend

I am proud to have been invited to be part of a three-man show this weekend at the newly opened Fibonacci Main Street Gallery in St. George Utah. The show kicks off the evening of Friday October 24 with a reception for artists Roland Lee, Steve McGinty, and Jason Bowen. Each artist will have about ten paintings on display. The artists will also be on hand all day Saturday October 25 to visit with collectors and work on demonstration paintings. There will be a silent auction Saturday from 5 to 8pm.  The Main Street Gallery is located at 35 North Main, St. George, UT 84770.

Back from Europe with a loaded sketch book

Nellie and I in Germany below Castle Neuschwanstein

We just returned from 18 days in Europe. The weather was wonderful and the scenery spectacular. I filled a sketchbook with drawings and can't wait to turn them into paintings. I am planning for a European Painting show sometime in early December that will include paintings from Tuscany and the Bavarian Alps. In the next couple of weeks I will post some of the drawings. In the meantime I will participate in The Plein Air Artists of Utah group show at Alderwood Gallery in Salt Lake City October 17, and a three-man show at Fibonacci's new Main Street Gallery in St. George October 24-25 with Steve McGinty and Jason Bowen.

Roland Lee sketching in Italy

Roland Lee Receives Medal from Utah Governor Gary Herbert in Ceremony at Governor's Mansion

Utah Governor Gary Herbert and First Lady Jeanette Herbert pose with artist Roland Lee after awarding him the Utah Governor's Mansion Artist Award for Visual Arts August 20.

     It was a grand night indeed! An intimate dinner with Utah Governor and Mrs. Herbert. My paintings on display in the Governor's Mansion. A wonderful outdoor concert. And receiving a medal from the Governor. The only thing that made it even better was having a few of my choice friends and family there to enjoy it.
    The Governor's Mansion Artist Series Awards are given each year to a visual artist and performing artist who have made contributions to the arts in Utah. I was thrilled to be in the company of Dr. Craig Jessop, formerly Music Director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, as he and I both received the awards on August 20 in Salt Lake City. Now the founding Dean of the Caine College of the Arts at Utah State University, Dr. Jessop brought a group of outstanding students and faculty to perform.

Honoree Craig Jessop is greeted by Governor Gary Herbert at the Governor's Mansion

The lovely decor and antiques of the historic Kearns Mansion were a perfect backdrop for my paintings. Gallery owner and committee member David Ericson assisted with the display of the paintings.

The program for the evening's events

     The evening began with dinner in the mansion, joined by the Governor, First Lady, a few wonderful event sponsors and lovely music from Utah State University music students. The elegant meal was catered by Lori Tolbert.

An intimate dinner at the Governor's Mansion prior to receiving the Governor's Mansion Artist Award

     A beautiful outdoor reception followed with many invited guests witnessing the art show, awarding of the medals, and an incredible concert by the Fry Street Quartet.  Threatening storm clouds and occasional bursts of lightning added just the right touch of drama to the event. Finally at the conclusion, a cloudburst opened up, and guests dashed into the mansion to enjoy refreshments and viewing of the paintings. It couldn't have worked out better.
     We all owe a debt of gratitude to Governor and Mrs. Herbert for their love and support of education and the arts. I would also like to thank the Brent and Bonnie Beasley Foundation, Dell Loy and Lynnette Hansen, Greg and Denise Ericksen, Friends of Roland Lee, the Governors Mansion Foundation Members, and Governor's Mansion Artist Series Committee Members for giving of their time and resources in support of the Governors Mansion Artist Series.
     A special thanks to Mary Bangerter, Lorelie Andrus, Carolyn Loder, and David Ericson whose careful attention to details made everything run smooth. Also to O.C. Tanner for providing the beautiful medals. And finally, how could the arts survive in Utah without the ongoing support of Zions Bank, the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation, and the Utah Division of Fine Arts and Museums.
     Thanks everyone for making a magical night!

The Fry Street Quartet from Utah State University gave an incredible performance

Guests enjoy the Roland Lee Art Exhibit at the Utah Governor's Mansion

Left to right: Utah Governor Gary Herbert, First Lady Jeanette Herbert, artist Roland Lee, wife Nellie Lee, and son Jim Lee

Some of my family were able to attend. Left to right: Jason and Jennie Maestri, Andrea Conley, Barbara and Jim Lee, and my dear wife Nellie.