Travels Down Under

My wife Nellie and I joined a group of friends for a few weeks in the land "down under." Starting in Sydney Australia, we toured the outback and seaside for a few days before boarding a cruise ship for New Zealand. Stopping at various ports we were able to explore lots of places on shore. I carried a sketchbook and recorded my thoughts as we went. The result is a show of about 12 new paintings completed since we returned last month. They will remain on display in my gallery until Christmas.

Sydney Opera House and harbor

Otago Bay Lighthouse near Dunedin New Zealand

Larnach Castle Gardens, Dunedin NZ

Larnach Castle Sea View New Zealand

Milford Sound Waterfalls New Zealand

Milford Zornes Watercolor Retreat

Roland Lee sitting in Maynard Dixon's chair in Milford Zornes Studio. Photo by Susan Bingham

What a blast we had as a group of watercolor artists gathered for the first annual Milford Zornes Painting Retreat October 11-15, 2017. Held at the studio in Mt. Carmel Utah owned by both Maynard Dixon and Milford Zornes, we enjoyed sharing ideas, relaxing, learning, and painting outdoors. The event was organized by artists Carolyn Lord and Spike Ress, and sponsored by Paul and Susan Bingham of the Thunderbird Foundation. Among the artists attending from all over the United States were: Carolyn Lord, Spike Ress, Frank Huff, Glen Knowles, Roland Lee, Terri Wells, Meredith Nemirov, Jamie Morgan, David Lee, James Asher, Joe Anna Arnett, and Sid Bingham.

Meredith Nemirov and her cousin Sharon Painting on the grounds of the Milford Zornes and Maynard Dixon property in Mt. Carmel Utah

Spike Ress, James Asher, Sue Cotter, Joe Anna Arnett, and Roland Lee

Roland Lee painting a watercolor of the Milford Zornes and Maynard Dixon Studio

Frank Huff and Roland Lee with paintings done at Milford Zornes Retreat

Roland Lee, Frank Huff, Carolyn Lord with paintings at Milford Zornes Retreat

Roland Lee's mobile studio, 1988 Toyota Hi Lux pickup with 1992 Six Pac Camper

Roland Lee and Meredith Nemirov

New Paintings for "The Way We Worked" Exhibit

These two paintings are part of the Dixie Watercolor Component of the Smithsonian's "Way We Worked" traveling exhibit. Gallery 35 on Main Street in St. George Oct 9-21.

"Helping" 10 x 14 watercolor by Roland Lee

"Retired" 10 x 14 watercolor by Roland Lee

High School Artists Shine with Watercolor

Roland Lee with art students at Valley High School. My demo painting is in the foreground

It was a pretty ambitious effort, but they all did pretty good. It was the first experience with watercolor painting for the art students at Valley High School. I was invited by Connie Goulding to spend a few hours working with her art classes. With assistance from my artist son Jon Lee, we worked through a little painting of pine trees and water. They were pretty pumped with their finished pieces and I think we are off to a good start.

Painting with Josh Clare at Plein Air Utah

Roland Lee plein air painting Probst Ranch Midway UT. Photo Alan Fuchs

I enjoyed painting with so many great artists at Plein Air Utah in Midway. Co-sponsored by Plein Air Painters of Utah, of which I am a member, and the Midway Arts Association the event was attended by close to 100 artists.

Roland Lee Painting at Plein Air Utah event in Midway. Photo Alan Fuchs

Artist Josh Clare with Roland Lee at Plein Air Utah event

Watching artist Josh Clare demonstrate his oil painting skills at the "Plein Air Utah" event was a singular experience for me. I have followed his landscape paintings for a long time but when I saw him paint a warm snow scene for his demonstration painting before the whole group I was stunned. His process seemed almost effortless as he went to work. I knew I had to leave with that painting. So, as is often the case, the art collector in me took over as Josh and I worked out a price, and purchased a frame from vendor Cory Willis. I also picked up four small Josh Clare sky demos that are little gems.

Josh Clare holds four demo paintings of cloudscapes

A New Home for "Far View - Capitol Reef"

Watercolor painting "Far View at Capitol Reef" by Roland Lee

I was thrilled when one of my favorite landscape artists Bruce Everett purchased my watercolor painting "Far View Capitol Reef" recently. His stunning landscapes are an inspiration to me. Thanks to Paul and Susan Bingham for introducing Bruce to my work at their beautiful Bingham Gallery in Mt. Carmel, UT.

New Painting of East Zion

"Sands of Time - East Zion"  - 15 x 21 Watercolor painting by Roland Lee

I have been working on a series of new Zion paintings which will be part of my new book being published next year tentatively called Discovering Zion - Landscape, Geology and History. It will feature my landscape paintings of Zion with commentary by Dr. Robert Eves and historian Lyman Hafen.

Bryce Paintings On Exhibit in Group Show

Group show of paintings created during my summer workshops in Zion and Bryce Canyons. An opening reception will be held from 6 to 8pm September 15 at the Syracuse Community Center, 1912 West 1900 South, Syracuse, UT.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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