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| Film crew with Roland Lee in Zion National Park |
PBS Utah is airing a promo trailer for their new documentary "Call of the Canyon - Zion National Park." The full-length documentary on artists in Zion National Park will be officially released in January 2022. I am thrilled to be a part of this wonderful new film, and to share my love for this wonderful place. Click here to view the promo.
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| Roland Lee article in St. George Lifestyle Magazine |
I am honored that JJ Abernathy, editor of St. George Lifestyle Magazine, chose to do an editorial about me and my work. She invited Janice Brooks to visit my studio and talk to me about my painting process and what I love most about my art career. Thanks to all of you for a beautiful magazine. My painting "Winter Blessings" is on the cover. The painting is owned by Catherine and the late Glen Blakley.
I was honored to be invited to give the keynote address at the 2021 Business of Art Conference. I told a little about those who had influenced me on my quest for an art career and spotlighted two key elements. Number one is to do everything in your power to "get good" at what you do. Number two is to realize how important that other people are in your success. I mentioned my collectors and how their belief in me early on helped me stay true to my goals. Thanks to Kathy C. and all those who helped put on the two-day conference.
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| Susan Bingham introduces Roland Lee |
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| Roland Lee gives keynote address at 2021 Business of Art Conference |
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| Roland Lee - Business of Art Conference |
I was treated like royalty at the Arts and the Park Light on the Reef event in Capitol Reef. I enjoyed making a Keynote presentation called "Getting the Most from Plein Air Painting" to a group of wonderful artists and guests. I was able to sell all five plein air paintings I did at Capitol Reef as well as three other studio pieces which were part of my display. What an honor.
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| I sold 8 paintings at Arts and the Park |
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| Plein air painting at Capitol Reef National Park |
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| Making a Keynote presentation at Arts and the Park |
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| Roland Lee plein air painting at Capitol Reef National park |
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| Roland Lee watercolor plein air painting at Capitol Reef |
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| We are guests at the little restored pioneer home owned by Dawn House. |
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| Roland Lee explains how to find the best views. |
What a wonderful three days we enjoyed in Mt. Carmel Utah at the Maynard Dixon Legacy Plein Air Workshop with Roland Lee. Two days of sun, and one day of cool rain set the tone for this experience. I was joined by 14 other excellent artists who dove in to their paintings with enthusiasm. We are grateful to Paul and Susan Bingham of the Thunderbird Foundation for hosting us at their beautiful Maynard Dixon Legacy Museum. Nellie and I were able to lodge in the lovingly restored Maynard Dixon Home which was a highlight for us. On the rainy day we painted in the Edith Hamlin studio where she completed some of her wonderful paintings after Dixon's death. The property was purchased by famed watercolorist Milford Zornes who held watercolor workshops there for a number of years.Thanks to Margo Cook, Dixie Stoddard, and Diane Stephenson for creating wonderful breakfasts for us each day, and to Melissa Griffiths for our fabulous "Garden to table" dinner one night. What a delightful group of people to spend a week with.
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| View from the Maynard Dixon Property in Mt. Carmel Utah |
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| Roland Lee doing a watercolor demo of an old barn |
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| Roland Lee and watercolor workshop group |
I was thrilled to rub shoulders with watercolorists I admire, and meet wonderful new collectors at the group show "The River Flows -- Watercolorists of the American West." The show is a result of the new book by the same name produced by Marlin Rotach and Don Weller, which traces the use of watercolors by many revered artists of the west.
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| Marlin Rotach, Jim House, William Matthews, Cha Cha and Don Weller, Roland Lee and Kathy Sigle. |
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| Barbara Nelson with Roland Lee and the painting she purchased at Phippen Museum |
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| PBS Utah filming video of Roland Lee painting in Zion |
Check out this 360 degree video short featuring Roland Lee painting in Zion. It celebrates the spring 2022 release of Call of the Canyon, Zion National Park, a one-hour PBS Utah documentary celebrating Zion's native legacy, history, and dazzling landscapes that have inspired generations of visitors and artists. Woven throughout the story of Zion National Park are glimpses at artists and their works inspired by the area — from Paiute Indian Tribe artisans to 19th and early 20th century photographers and painters, including Thomas Moran and Maynard Dixon. The park comes alive through interstitial artistic journeys with painters Kate Starling, Roland Lee, folk musician Hall Cannon of 3 Hattrio and cowboy poet Waddie Mitchell. Viewers experience first-hand how Zion National Park sparks a uniquely human creative response.
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| PBS Utah film crew with artist Roland Lee in Zion National Park |
Plein Air Magazine's online American Watercolors Weekly featured a nice spotlight on Roland Lee and his paintings in the September 1, 2021 issue. Included in the article were six images of Roland Lee Studio, four of his recent watercolor paintings and an image taken during the filming of a new PBS Utah special "Call of the Canyon - Zion National Park" on Artists in Zion.
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| Sentinel Shadows 22 x 30 watercolor |
In an article called "Watercolors of the West," Art of the West magazine featured a Roland Lee painting "Sentinel Shadows" in the October 2021 issue. The article was about the upcoming "River Flows - Watercolorists of the American West" show running October 1, 2021 to February 6, 2022 at the Phippen Museum in Prescott AZ. Roland Lee is one of the 14 western artists who will be included in the show.
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| Roland Lee painting "The River Flows" Exhibit |
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| Roland Lee painting "The River Flows" Exhibit |
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| Roland Lee painting "The River Flows" Exhibit |
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| Roland Lee painting "The River Flows" Exhibit |
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| Roland Lee painting "The River Flows" Exhibit |
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| Roland Lee painting "The River Flows" Exhibit |
A wonderful film crew from PBS Utah spent the last two days filming me at my cabin at East Zion, and plein air painting in Zion National Park for a new documentary "Call of the Canyon - Zion National Park". The documentary will address how artists respond to the National Park. Watch for the documentary on tv at a future date.
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| Roland Lee paints in Zion National Park while being filmed for a new documentary by PBS Utah |
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| Roland Lee painting en plein air in Zion National Park |
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| Roland Lee being interviewed by PBS Utah for Zion Park documentary |
I drove out to Warner Valley, a beautiful desert near my home and did some sketching. Sometimes I just love to get out and travel the cow trails for awhile. On this trip I decided to stay out there overnight in my art assault vehicle (1988 Toyota pickup with 1992 Six Pac Camper.) On this trip I visited the Fort Pearce ruins and searched out some wonderful dinosaur tracks. The evening was gorgeous and the night stars were wonderful. You can see from the photos how magnificent our scenery is around St. George UT.
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| Dinosaur track in Warner Valley |
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| Exploring Warner Valley in my 1988 Toyota pickup "Art Assault Vehicle" |
Nellie and I visited the Dixie State University student/faculty art show tonight. We always enjoy supporting our young artists. We purchased a wonderful pot to add to our big collection.
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| Nellie and Roland at the DSU art show. |
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| M. Cook with Roland Lee painting of Zion |
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| Roland Lee with Award-winning Small Painting From UWS Exhibit |
One of my dear friends, and an amazing painter dropped by my studio with his wife and purchase a few of my original paintings recently. He also decided to buy the painting "As I See It" which was my demonstration painting for the 2021 Utah Plein Air presentation. I am so thankful for such good friends as Mark.
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| Mark Gamett with Roland Lee Painting |
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| Lee Wright with ladder display for Navajo rugs |
I am grateful to the Bracken's for purchasing three of my original paintings this week. It is such a joy to have my paintings grace the walls of so many wonderful collectors.
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The 34th annual Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show is going on now with hundreds of art pieces on display. I am happy that both of the paintings I have on display won ribbons, and my painting, "Creekside Stillness" was sold on opening night to one of my good collectors Betsy McChesney.
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| Roland Lee with "Creekside Stillness." |
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| Roland Lee with "Sentinel Shadows" |
I have two large paintings on exhibit at the 34th annual Sears Invitational Art Exhibition February 13 through April 3, 2021.
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| "Creekside Stillness" 21 x 29 |
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| Zion National Park" Sentinel Shadows" 21 x 29 |
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| "On Its Last Leg" 4 x 6 watercolor by Roland Lee |
I was honored to receive First Place at the Utah Watercolor Society Small Paintings Show for my little painting of a rustic Utah Barn. Called "On Its Last Leg" the old barn has seen both good days and bad days but is still standing. That's pretty much the way I feel. Also exhibited was "Palm Shadow" Seville Spain.
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| "Palm Shadow" Seville Spain 4x 6 Watercolor by Roland Lee |
