Ribbons Won and Paintings Sold at Arts and the Parks: Light on the Reef DWS Plein Air Event

I enjoyed painting with my two sons, Jim Lee and Jon Lee, at Capitol Reef for the Arts and the Parks event co sponsored by the Entrada foundation. We spent four days painting en plein air and in a two-hour quick draw on the last day. Then the paintings were displayed at Cougar Ridge Resort on Saturday where ribbons were awarded and a sale conducted. I was so pleased that all three of us not only won awards but also sold our paintings. Thanks to the Entrada group and the Utah Watercolor Society for this great annual event.

Roland Lee plein air painting at Capitol Reef

Roland Lee plein air painting at Capitol Reef

The Lee Boys strike again!

Jon Lee and Roland Lee set up their easels at Capitol Reef National Park

Jon Lee, Jim Lee, and Roland Lee all got awards

"The Way to Angels Landing" Book Signing at Deseret Book

 Lyman Hafen and Roland Lee enjoyed signing books at the St. George Deseret Book store recently. Eager purchasers lined up to have their books personalized by the author and illustrator of the wonderful new childrens' book The Way to Angels Landing.

Illustrator Roland Lee (left) and writer Lyman Hafen sign books at Deseret Book.

Zions Bank Art Show

 Thanks to everyone who stopped by the annual Zions Bank Art show to see my new work. It is a great feeling to see all the people who support our local artists. All three levels of the downtown branch of Zions Bank were filled with artists and their artworks. Thank you to Zions Bank for their continued support of our local art community.

Guests look at the paintings of Roland Lee at Zions Bank Art Show

Plein Air Utah Rendezvous a Success

 I enjoyed spending this past week in Midway Utah painting outdoors, demonstrating watercolor techniques and rubbing shoulders with a lot of good artists. In the end I sold three paintings and brought home two. 

Daniel Bedel purchased one of my paintings

Another Painting Sold

Thanks to M. Cirzan from Las Cruces, New Mexico for his purchase of "Seasons Passage" a watercolor featuring a weathered and collapsing old homestead after a snowfall. This painting was exhibited at the Utah Watercolor Society annual Spring show in 2022.

Watercolor Painting by Roland Lee "Seasons Passage"

New Acrylic Paintings Find Homes

 My new acrylic on canvas painting "Desert Crescendo" was shipped out today to a collector in Michigan. I am so grateful to my faithful collectors for their willingness to have my paintings become a part of their collections.

Acrylic painting by Roland Lee "Desert Crescendo"

Framed painting "Desert Crescendo" by Roland Lee

Roland Lee's paintings in new Childrens' Book

 I'm happy to announce our new children's book "The Way to Angels Landing." Lyman Hafen came to me with a story he wrote about a young boy and his desire to climb Angels Landing, an exciting but dangerous hike in Zion National Park. In the process, the boy comes to an understanding about the death of his beloved grandfather. He realizes that he will always be near. Lyman invited me to illustrate the book, which took several months and included 20 large watercolor paintings. I am happy with the results. The book is available for $19.95 with free shipping from www.lymanhafen.com

The Way to Angels Landing - Book cover illustration by Roland Lee

Spread from "The Way to Angels Landing" painting by Roland Lee

Finished flats for the Way to Angels Landing

Roland Lee Studio with finished paintings for The Way to Angels Landing book

Roland Lee Painting in American Watercolor Society Associates Show

 My painting "Party Line" was juried into the 2022 American Watercolor society Associate Members online exhibit. The show will run online from June 4 through August 20, 2022.

 Roland Lee AWS American Watercolor Society Associate Exhibit

Watercolor West Signature Membership

 I was notified by "Watercolor West" that following my acceptance in the current show I have been awarded signature member status. I consider that a lifetime achievement and am very grateful to be admitted to this wonderful transparent-only watercolor society.

Shopping at the St. George Art Festival

The boys and I enjoyed strolling through the St. George Art Festival today along with quite a few of my other grandkids, and one of my great-grandsons too. We are at Emily Thomas' booth and I am holding the painting I just bought from her called "Los Tres Amigos." I succumbed to my art addiction and purchased 7 new paintings, 3 new pots, and a wood plate. Too much fun.

Springville Museum of Art 98th Annual Spring Salon

 My painting, "Colorful Solitude" was juried into the 98th annual Spring Salon of the Springville Museum of Art. The show runs from April 27 through July 2, 2022. This is an important museum show and I am grateful to have my work included.

"Colorful Solitude" watercolor painting of Lake Powell in the Springville 98th annual Spring Salon

Utah Watercolor Society Spring Show

I was happy to find out my painting "Season's Passage" was juried into the 2022 Utah Watercolor Society Spring Open Exhibition. The show will be on display at the Logan Fine Art Gallery May 6 - May 31, 2022.

"Season's Passage" watercolor painting by Roland Lee
in the Utah Watercolor Society 2022 Spring Open Exhibition

Anita Gardner pottery added to my art collection

 I was invited to judge a local art show for the Southern Utah Art Guild and discovered the wonderful pottery of Anita Gardner. I decided to purchase one of her works which I was really impressed with. I have since added a couple of other pots as well. 

Roland Lee shows off new pot acquired from Anita Gardner

Roland Lee Painting in Western Art Collector Magazine

Two Roland lee watercolor pantings are in the May 2022 issue of Western Art Collector magazine. “Edge of the Ledge” appears in a gallery ad while “Zion Canyon Reflections” appears in the article “Desert Emotions – Painting Canyons and Deserts” by John O’Hern on page 78. 

Roland Lee painting in May 2022 Western Art Collector Magazine

Larson Purchases Roland Lee Painting

 Carl Larson purchased my painting, "Glory of Dawn." Carl has an extensive art collection, and I am so pleased to have him select a Roland Lee painting to be a part of it.

Carl Larson and Roland Lee painting

54th Annual Watercolor West International Juried Exhibition 2022 Selects Roland Lee painting

 I was excited to find out my painting "Autumn's Ambience" was selected for the 54th annual Watercolor West International Exhibition. The show will be at the Coastline College Gallery of Art in Newport Beach CA. 

"Autumn's Ambience" Watercolor West 2022 Exhibit

May 2022 Western Art Collector Magazine Features Roland Lee Painting

 Roland Lee's painting "Zion Canyon Reflections" was featured in the portfolio, "Desert Emotions" by John O'Hern in the May 2022 issue of Western Art Collector magazine. The painting was purchased by Keith Criddle.

Zion Canyon Reflections by Roland Lee

Birthday Party in My Studio

 My granddaughter and her friend enjoyed painting in my studio for her private birthday party. They both painted a wonderful little floral painting and really were quite good. Many of my children and grandchildren have artistic talents and it is fun to watch them blossom.

A fun birthday painting party in my studio

Master Class Artists Always Astound Me

 It is always fun (but exhausting) for me to have four students come into my studio once a month for two days of painting together. After a couple of hours of instruction, they work on their own paintings for the remainder of the time. We have several critiques where we all help each other with problems, and give encouragement. I am always impressed as I was in my April class.

Meg Mitrigotri and Roland Lee in Master Class with works she created

"By the Canal" Chosen for Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine

I was thrilled to have my painting 'By the Canal" chosen for inclusion in the May issue of Fine Art Connoisseur magazine. The painting will be part of a special section called "Green Zones" showing how artists use the color green in their paintings. 

Roland Lee painting in Fine Art Connoisseur magazine may 2022

Roland Lee painting Accepted in WFWS 47th Annual Exhibit

My painting "Colorado Barn" was accepted into the 2022 47th annual Western Federation of Watercolor Societies show which runs May 6 through June 5. WFWS includes watercolor societies from the western states, and this year's show is hosted by the New Mexico Watercolor Society.

Roland Lee watercolor painting in WFWS 47th annual exhibit

Live Painting Demonstration at "Plein Air Utah 2022"

My watercolor painting demonstration of "Padre Canyon Yuccas" aired on the Sentient production via Zoom. January 27 2:20 pm.