Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Roland at Bryce Canyon Featured in Plein Air Today Article


An article about my exploits at Bryce Canyon National Park appeared in "Plein Air Today" a weekly online plein air magazine. Click here to read the article.

Roland Lee demonstrates plein air painting at Bryce Canyon National Park

Saturday, July 22, 2017

Best of Show at Utah Watercolor Society

I was thrilled to hear one of my paintings received Best of Show at the 2017 Utah Watercolor Society Small Works Exhibit held in Salt Lake City, UT. The show will remain on display at Michael Berry Gallery in Salt Lake City through August 11, 2017. The juror for the show is famed western watercolorist Don Weller. My good friend Ian Ramsay won the Award of Excellence.


Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Kids Enjoy Painting with Roland Lee at Bryce Canyon Festival



Artist Roland Lee with young plein air painters at Bryce Canyon National Park Geology Festival. Artists include: Kade, Zach, Sarah, Sam, Nate, Audrey, and Katelyn

We set up tables with watercolor paints, brushes, and paper during my plein air painting demonstrations out on the rim at Bryce Canyon National Park. Both adults and children went right to work and created their plein air interpretations of the vistas. What a fun way to spend the day.

Everyone got involved at Bryce Canyon Plein Air event painting with Roland Lee
Nate Lemon painted a portrait of my backside while I was painting.

The kids art table at Bryce Canyon National Park Geology Festival
Roland Lee with a budding young plein air painter

Sarah Power BFA from Indiana showed the kids how it's done
Todd Cullings with Nate Lemon who was very proud of his painting

Mom and son worked together on a painting

Wow! Adults got into the act as well. 
Jane Shepard, an accomplished painter and campground host did an awesome painting of the Bryce Hoodoos




Monday, July 17, 2017

Posters for Roland Lee Plein Air Presentations at Bryce Canyon National Park

Two great posters were created for the 2017 Bryce Canyon National Park Geology Festival. They include the schedule of events with included talks from Rebecca McKean and Roland Lee. Posters designed by Peter Densmore. The amazing illustrations were created by Jennifer Cullings.
Posters for 2017 Bryce Canyon Geology Festival featuring Rebecca McKean and Roland Lee

Sunday, July 16, 2017

Artist in Residence Bryce Canyon Geology Festival

Bryce Canyon Chief of Interpretation Kathleen Gonder and artist Roland Lee

Roland Lee plein air watercolor painting at Bryce Canyon Geology Festival


Roland Lee giving a plein air painting demonstration on the rim at Bryce Canyon.
It was a busy, but enjoyable time this past week as a guest artist for the Bryce Canyon National Park's annual Geology Festival. I presented live plein air watercolor painting demonstrations on the rim at Sunset and Inspiration Points on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, as well as giving two talks with powerpoints on Friday and Saturday afternoons. Thanks to the Bryce Canyon Natural History Association for organizing the event along with Rangers Todd Cummings and Peter Densmore who assisted each day with my demos, and to Chief of Interpretation Kathleen Gonder who joined us out on the rim.

Ranger Todd Cullings talks about the Bryce geology during my plein air demo.


Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Plein Air Presentation at Bryce Canyon This Week

Headed to Bryce Canyon National Park for the annual Geology Festival. I will be a presenting artist and do several outdoor painting demonstrations and two talks. See the schedule below.
Roland Lee painting at Bryce Canyon National Park for Geology Festival

Saturday, July 08, 2017

Collectors Purchase new Plein Air Paintings at Chasing Light show

It was great to see past collectors and meet new ones at the Chasing Light Plein Air event. Co-sponsored by Cedar Breaks National Monument and Southern Utah Art Museum, the event featured 15 painters working outdoors all week in Cedar Breaks and Kolob Canyons, Zion National Park. A gala event was held featuring a wet paint show and sale at the end of the week.
I was pleased to have the Nymans purchase a painting for their collection

Laura Cotts purchased a Roland Lee watercolor

The Coughtry's added another Roland Lee painting to their collection at the Chasing Light Plein Air gala 
13 of the 15 artists participating in the SUMA Chasing Light Plein Air event. Back; Roland Lee, Brad Holt, Arlene Braithwaite, Ellie Williams, Valerie Orlemann, Mary Jabens, Rachel Petitt, Bruce Gomez, Front: Doug Braithwaite, Michelle Condrat, George Handrahan, Susie Hyer, Cody DeLong. Missing: Bonnie Posselli and Royden Card.



Painting with the grandkids

It was fun to have some of my grandkids stop by the SUMA Chasing Light plein air event in Cedar City Utah. After painting for a week outdoors, all 15 artists did painting demos on Saturday at the Southern Utah Museum of Art on the campus of Southern Utah University.
Roland and Nellie Lee with grandkids, Keenan, Kade, Zach, Sarah, and Sam 

Roland Lee demonstrates watercolor for his grandaughter Sarah at the SUMA Chasing Light plein Air event.

Sarah Simmons gets a turn working on Roland Lee's painting

Wednesday, July 05, 2017

Plein Air Painting at Cedar Breaks and Kolob Canyons

Lots of new plein air paintings came out of the SUMA Chasing Light Plein Air event. 15 artists painted outdoors in both Cedar Breaks National Monument as well as the Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park.
Roland Lee plein air painting at Cedar Breaks

Sunset View overlook at Cedar Breaks National Monument

Evening painting at Kolob Canyons in Zion National Park

Demonstration painting for the SUMA plein air invitational

Painting in progress at Kolob Canyons

Painting along side my trusty art assault vehicle a 1988 Toyota pickup with Six Pac camper