Paintings Sold at Maynard Dixon Campout

In spite of the high temperatures and dusky skies from the Brian Head fire, the Maynard Dixon Campout turned out great. We saw some great demonstrations and painted shoulder to shoulder with some terrific plein air artists. I was happy to meet several new collectors including Don Freitas and Darci Quane who purchased two paintings, "Don't Fence Me In," and "Vermillion Cliffs"  and Lucy and Eric Esplin who purchased a plein air piece called "Up the Muddy."

Roland Lee and Lucy Esplin at the Maynard Dixon Campout

Roland Lee plein air paintings at the 2017 Maynard Dixon campout

Roland Lee with Darci Quane and Don Freitas at the Maynard Dixon Campout. They purchased "Don't Fence Me in."

Headed for the Maynard Dixon Campout

Jeff Pugh, Gary Ernest Smith, and Roland Lee at the 2016 Maynard Dixon Campout

Getting ready to head out to the Maynard Dixon Campout put on by Paul and Susan Bingham of the Thunderbird Foundation. Headquartered each summer at the Maynard Dixon's home and studio at Mt. Carmel UT, the event brings together some of the best plein air painters in America for four days of seminars, presentations, demos, and outdoor painting near East Zion. The week concludes with a casual "wet paint" show and sale of artists work. Click for more information.
Participating Artists include:

• Joshua Baird
• Susan D Bingham
• Lyn Boyer
• G. Russell Case
• Susan Gallacher
• Robert Goldman
• David Griffin
• Colleen K. Howe
• Travis Humphreys
• Peggi Kroll-Roberts
• Shanna Kunz
• Roland Lee
• Carolyn Lord
• D. LaRue Mahlke
• Charles Muench
• Barbara Mulleneaux
• Glenn Renell
• Spike Ress
• Ray Roberts
• Mike Simpson
• Mian Situ
• Bill Suys
• John Taft
• Kaia Thomas
• Lewis Williams

Great Master Class with Classy Artists

I was joined in my studio classroom for a "Master Class" with five outstanding artists yesterday and today. Such a thrill to work with such inspired artists. We truly learn a lot from each other.

Roland Lee, Margo Cook, Myron Laub, Sally Valitan, and Connie Madsen

Mark Rose, Shari Cannon, Sally Valitan, and Connie Madsen

New Paintings of Zion Narrows

I've been working on some studio paintings of the Zion Narrows from photos I took. What a beautiful place that is. My favorite is to hike up from the bottom as far as Orderville Canyon, then back out again. The colors on the canyon walls are just amazing, being intensified by the reflecting light from side to side. All that above, with some strong reflections in the water below, make for a very colorful hike. However, the older I get the harder it is to hike on slime-covered bowling balls while freezing-cold knee-deep rushing water incessantly tries to push you backwards. But the view is certainly worth it.

Zion Narrows 10 x 14 Watercolor by Roland Lee