Mighty Five - Zion National Park Receptioin

 It was exciting to see paintings from the Sears Museum permanent collection on display along with some current paintings of Zion National Park at the opening reception for "Mighty Five - Zion National Park."
I had three new paintings on display along with two from Utah Tech University permanent collection. It was a treat to have my paintings hung alongside other paintings from deceased artists Maynard Dixon, Robert Shepherd, and Wallace Lee. It was also great to rub shoulders with other artist friends including  Royden Card, Mary Jabens, Arlene Braithwaite, and Diane Cliff. The show runs through December.

Artist Royden Card and his wife Sandee, along with Roland Lee at the Mighty Five, Zion National Park show.

Roland Lee with painting from the Utah Tech Sears Art Museum permanent collection.

The Mighty Five - Zion National Park Exhibit

 Three of my new paintings of Zion National Park will be exhibited at the upcoming "Mighty Five - Zion National Park Art Show at Utah Tech University. The show will be on display from December 1, 2023 until January 12, 2024 in the Sears Museum. Reception December 1, 7-8:30pm.

Roland Lee Paintings will be on display at the Mighty Five Zion National Park exhibit

Featured Artist at Gallery 35 Through January 2023

 I am loving my new location for displaying my paintings at Gallery 35 in St. George Utah. I am the featured artist there through January 2024. My work is also featured at the Maynard Dixon Legacy Gallery in Mt. Carmel, Utah. Stop by and let Susan Bingham show you my new paintings.

Roland Lee paintings are on display at Gallery 35 in St. George Utah

Roland Lee paintings are featured at the Maynard Dixon Legacy Gallery at Mt. Carmel

New Private Art Studio at East Zion

Since closing my art gallery in St. George I have moved my studio to east Zion National Park, where I will be painting during summer and fall. We have taken one of our cabins there and created a wonderful working space right in the heart of Zion country. I also have a home studio for the colder months. I will no longer have an "open studio" where visitors can drop in, but my paintings can be purchased from my website or from Gallery 35 in St. George Utah or the Maynard Dixon Legacy Gallery in Mt. Carmel, Utah near Zion National Park.

The Studio at East Zion, Roland Lee's new private studio

Interior of Roland Lee art studio at east Zion National Park

Featured Artist at Gallery 35

I am pleased to announce that Gallery 35 will be the new home for my paintings in St. George, Utah where I am the featured artist through January 2024. I have closed my downtown art gallery after 12 years in that location, and moved my painting studio to my east Zion cabin. I will no longer have an "open studio" but all my new paintings can still be seen and purchased from my website at www.rolandlee.com and at Gallery 35 as well as The Maynard Dixon Legacy Gallery in Mt. Carmel, Utah

Poster for Roland Lee Featured Artist at Gallery 35

Painting Sold From Gallery 35

 I spent some time in Gallery 35 today, and enjoyed visiting with collectors who stopped by to see my new work as the gallery as "Featured Artist." I was pleased that Virginia Howard decided to add "Gentle Flow" to her collection. 

Virginia Howard stands by new Roland Lee painting purchased today at the Gallery 35

Fun with Family at Capitol Reef

 We enjoyed a wonderful trip to Capitol Reef for Arts and the Park, co-sponsored by the Entrada Foundation and the Utah Watercolor Society. My oldest son Jim Lee and my youngest daughter, Jana Lee Cherry both attended, along with my wife, Nellie and I. We came away with a couple of ribbons and all three of us sold paintings, but the real fun was being with each other in one of our favorite places.

Jana Lee Cherry, Nellie Lee, Roland Lee and Jim Lee

Wonderful Collectors

 Each time I sell a painting I grow more appreciative of my collectors. Today I'm recognizing James Barrett, a young collector who is also an avid hiker in Zion National Park. He has purchased several of my Zion paintings in the past and just purchased "Observation Point Overlook," a very large and dynamic painting. He and his mom are both avid collectors, and I am so grateful for their support.

James Barrett and Roland Lee in front of James' new painting.

Roland Lee Paintings Sold

 Karen Bettilyon, a dear friend and artist, purchased two of my paintings today. one is of the old Bristlecone Pine at Cedar Breaks, and the other is a rustic barn and fence painted as a demonstration for the Plein Air Utah retreat in Midway Utah. I am excited for Karen to have the paintings as they are both among my favorites.

Karen Bettilyon with two paintings purchased from Roland Lee

Escalante Canyons Plein Air Festival

 I was honored to be chosen to present a plein air painting workshop at the Escalante Canyons Plein Air Art Festival in September 2023. We had a group of wonderful artists attend the sold out workshop in Escalante, Utah. Class members included: Carole Lynd, Mary Kaufman, Mickey Hutchinson, Nancy Lewis, Suzanne Stevenson, Emma Knutson, Susan Hulet, Deborah Mechigian, Debi Crawford, Lisa Bryant, Sarah Clinger, Kathy McFadden.

Roland Lee class painting demonstration at Escalante Canyons Plein Air Festival

Roland Lee plein air painting at Escalante Canyons Plein Air Festival

Some of my class members painting a wonderful barn in Escalante

Plein air painting at the Escalante River Trail Head

The Bailey Cabin we stayed in at Escalante, Utah. A beautifully restored 1890's cabin was perfect for painting at Escalante Canyons Art Festival, Everett Reuss Days.

Roland Lee at Escalante Canyons Art Festival

Plein Air Utah at Midway

 The Plein Air Painters of Utah and the Midway Art Association teamed up to present Plein Air Utah. This was our fourth year and included 22 members of our group acting as instructors  for the 45 artists who attended this fun event. I gave a painting demonstration and assisted the artists as they painted. A special treat was having my daughter Jana attend this year, and she created some fun paintings.

Teachers at Plein Air Painters of Utah Midway event

Roland Lee teacher at Plein Air Utah in Midway, Utah

Roland Lee plein air painting at Plein Air Utah event

Jana Lee Cherry plein air painting at Bessendorfer Farm

Roland Lee and daughter Jana at Heber Creeper Train Station

Plein air painting at Midway

Roland Lee demonstration painting at Midway Plein Air

My painting on the cover of St. George Lifestyle magazine

 I was pleased to see my painting "Canyon Flow" on the cover of St. George Magazine. The painting features a scene at Hell Hole near Kayenta Utah where a long thin waterfall streaks down the canyon cliffs during rain storms creating this scene at the bottom.

Roland Lee watercolor painting on the magazine cover

August Master Class

 I enjoyed a wonderful Master Class with several awesome painters. What a joy to have them also leave with a few of my paintings as well.

Meg Mitragotri with Roland Lee 

Roland Lee with the Mitragotri family

Pein Air Magazine Aug 2023

 My painting, "Patiently Waiting" was featured on page 87 of the September issue of Plein Air Magazine along with the other winners in the May 2023 Plein Air Salon.

Plein Air Magazine Sept 2023 Plein Air Salon Winners

Highway 89 Art Show at Maynard Dixon property this weekend

Roland Lee painting at Maynard Dixon property Art Show

Roland Lee painting at Maynard Dixon property Art Show

Roland Lee painting at Maynard Dixon property Art Show

Roland Lee painting at Maynard Dixon property Art Show

You are invited! The Plein Air Painters of Utah, of which I am a member, will be presenting "Art on Highway 89" at the Maynard Dixon property. The show starts Friday July 14, 2023 and runs through August. There will be a special reception July 14 at 5pm. I will be painting en plein air at the Thunderbird Dixon Legacy Gallery on Saturday July 15.

Roland Lee painting wins Best Western in Plein Air Salon May 2023

 My painting "Patiently Waiting" was named the winner in the "Western" category of the May 2023 Plein Air Salon. My painting "Alone Again" was awarded Honorable Mention in the same competition. I was thrilled that four of my paintings out of 697 entries were named to the Top 100. The juror was Joe Anna Arnett. Thank you Kari Stober and Plein Air Magazine. Click here for news release from PleinAir magazine.

"Paitently Waiting" by Roland Lee announced Winner in Western Category May 2023 Plein Air Salon

Roland Lee paintings in PleinAir Salon Top 100

Four Roland Lee Watercolor paintings were selected in 
the Top 100 of the May 2023 PleinAir Salon

Four Roland Lee paintings were entered in the PleinAir Salon monthly competition and out of 697 entries four of my paintings were selected in the Top 100. 19 countries were represented in the competition. The juror was JoeAnna Arnett.  The paintings were "Alone Again," "Patiently Waiting," "Soft and Quiet," and "Winter Wood." 

Centennial Painting for Bryce Canyon National Park

It was an honor to be commissioned to paint a special painting for Bryce Canyon National Park's Centennial Celebration. I was invited to unveil my painting at the ceremony on the edge of Bryce Canyon June 2023. Utah governor Spencer Cox was present at the ceremony.

Bryce Canyon Association Director Gayle Pollock and Roland Lee unveil Roland's painting at the 2023 Centennial Celebration at Bryce Canyon National Park.

Roland Lee Painting Awarded to outgoing Zion Forever Project CEO Lyman Hafen

Natalie Britt, Lyman Hafen, and Jeff Bradybaugh

Retiring CEO of the Zion Forever, Project Lyman Hafen, was awarded an original Roland Lee painting at a special gathering in Salt Lake City. The painting of Zion National Park was purchased due to the kindness of a private donor. On hand to present the award was current CEO Natalie Britt, Zion Park Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh, Zions Bank president Scott Anderson and others.

Plein Air Painters of Utah Highway 89 Show Underway in Brigham City UT

Shanna Kunz chats with others at the opening of Highway 89 PAPU show
Roland Lee paintings displayed on the wall

The Plein Air Painters of Utah special traveling show Highway 89 "Art on the Highway" is underway,
Is is kicking off during the Brigham City Arts Festival at the Hive.  The paintings represent locations along Highway 89 that runs through Utah from top to bottom. It will be exhibited at four locations during 2023 and 2024.
“Art on Main“, May 26 – June 7, 2023 Brigham City UT
Brushworks Gallery, June 15 – July 1, 2003 Salt Lake City UT
Thunderbird Foundation Gallery in Mount Carmel from July 14 – Aug 11.
Springville Art Museum November 15, 2023–March 2024 Springville UT

Paintings by Roland Lee and Spike Ress at the Highway 89 show opening

Roland Lee painting of the Maynard Dixon living history museum

So Much Fun Painting With My Kids

 Three of my five kids joined me in my painting studio today. They are getting so good, it is just wonderful. We are planning on having a group show at my studio in October. Watch for it.

Painting lesson in Roland Lee Studio

Jon Lee, Jim Lee, Roland Lee and Jana Lee Cherry in my studio.

Studio Visit from Another Artist

 I appreciated the visit from Gene and Lorna Grochowski at my studio recently. Lorna is an artist and after a nice art talk she decided to take home a little painting. Thank you Lorna.

Lorna Grochowski buys Roland Lee original of Zion National Park

Highway 89 Plein Air Painters of Utah Traveling Exhibition

 The Plein Air Painters of Utah, an exclusive outdoor painting group will hold an exhibition called "Art on the Highway 89." I am excited to have 5 of my Roland Lee paintings in that exhibit which will tour four different galleries and museums in Utah from May 2023 through March 2024.

"Art on the Highway 89"

Roland Lee painting the Maynard Dixon Property Studio en plein air

Roland Lee sitting in Maynard Dixon's favorite chair in the studio

Roland Lee painting of the studio at Maynard Dixon Property in Mt. Carmel

Roland Lee painting of the Maynard Dixon Home in Mt. Carmel UT