Just Released "The River Flows - Artists of the American West"

I am so excited to have my paintings included with such notable artists as Dean Mitchell and others in this new coffee table book. Available in both hardbound, and special "clam shell" collectors editions, this gorgeous book traces the history of artist who worked in watercolor to portray the western landscape and people. Compiled by Don Weller and Marlin Rotach, the book is a magnificent addition to the art libraries, and I am deeply honored to have my paintings included.

Watercolor Workshop at Maynard Dixon Property for Girl's Academy

My son, Jonathan, and I enjoyed sharing our talents with a great group of young ladies from a Kanab Girl's Academy. The girls, with their leaders traveled to the Maynard Dixon Property in Mt. Carmel Utah, where we spent a couple of hours working on watercolor paintings, before enjoying a tour of the Maynard Dixon property and Edith Hamlin studio. I was excited to share with them the rich heritage of artists who lived and worked in East Zion area. Thanks to their leaders, along with Emilie who took us through the Bingham Gallery. We are also grateful to Paul and Susan Bingham who work so hard to make the Dixon Property available to our young people.

Visiting the Edith Hamlin Studio 

Roland Lee teaches a group of young ladies

A visit to the Bingham Art Gallery

Roland Lee to Speak about Artist Robert Shepherd at St. George Art Museum Art Talk

Robert L. Shepherd Memorabilia on display at St. George art Museum

Robert Lorenzo Shepherd mural in Los Angeles Temple

Robert L. Shepherd with paintings

Roland Lee with his mentor Robert L. Shepherd paintings at retrospective exhibit for Shepherd in St. George Art Museum

The late artist and painter Robert Shepherd at a St. George exhibit in 1984

Artist Roland Lee will give an art talk about his mentor, the late Robert Shepherd at the St. George Art Museum August 15, 2019. A reception and refreshments will start at 6pm with the talk beginning at 7pm. Roland will use Powerpoint slides to introduce Shepherd's work to an audience that may not be aware of his impact on Southern Utah Art. A retrospective exhibit of Shepherd's work is currently on display at the museum and will continue through October.

Robert Shepherd art exhibit brochure 2019

Western Art Collector Magazine Article on Zion Canyon Artists

David Brown article in Western Art Collector July 2019 about Zion Park and Grand Canyon

David Brown wrote a wonderful feature article for the July 2019 Western Art Collector magazine which spotlighted the centennial celebrations this year of both Zion National Park and Grand Canyon National Park. I was pleased that he quoted me a number of times in the article as he talked about the experiences of artists such as Gunnar Widforss, Maynard Dixon, and Thomas Moran. He mentioned many of today's active plein air artists as well. Thanks to publisher Josh Rose for producing a great magazine.

New Zion Book Funded on Kickstarter

Discovering Zion, a Pictorial Guide to the landscape, Geology, and History of Zion National Park by Roland Lee, Robert Eves, and Lyman Hafen.

We decided to launch a Kickstarter campaign on line to help fund our new Zion Book called "Discovering Zion, a Pictorial Guide to the landscape, Geology, and History of Zion National Park." We were amazed to see many of our friends and supporters  dive in to help us achieve our goal in just 12 hours. We are so grateful to the many people who supported our efforts.Additional funds raised will be used to seed a new program which will bring students into the park to have a plein air painting experience. Thanks again to everyone. The book will be released in early fall.

Spreads from Discovering Zion, a Pictorial Guide to Zion National Park

Back from Europe with a loaded sketch book

Nellie and I in Germany below Castle Neuschwanstein

We just returned from 18 days in Europe. The weather was wonderful and the scenery spectacular. I filled a sketchbook with drawings and can't wait to turn them into paintings. I am planning for a European Painting show sometime in early December that will include paintings from Tuscany and the Bavarian Alps. In the next couple of weeks I will post some of the drawings. In the meantime I will participate in The Plein Air Artists of Utah group show at Alderwood Gallery in Salt Lake City October 17, and a three-man show at Fibonacci's new Main Street Gallery in St. George October 24-25 with Steve McGinty and Jason Bowen.

Roland Lee sketching in Italy

Southern Utah History through Paintings

I have always enjoyed doing paintings of the early pioneer era of southern Utah. Especially fun is creating a painting where I bring to life a moment in history using research and my imagination. As tonight's invited "Third Thursday" speaker at the St. George Art Museum I prepared a powerpoint showing how I create a historical painting from research to the painting process. Two of the featured paintings were the murals I created for the Washington County Library. Those involved an especially long research period followed by a unique painting method using oils, instead of my usual watercolors. After mounting belgian linen to a hardboard panel, I used the wall of my storage unit as an easel, nailing the panel in position, and painting vertically. Why the storage unit? My studio is too small to accomodate a 4 ft by 8 ft painting! Why oils? too big for watercolor paper. I showed slides of the painting process as the painting progressed from early sketches and planning through painting and completion. It was fun to look back on that project as well as other historical paintings, some of which are on display at the museum through May 25, 2012.


Roland Lee at work on his mural for the Washington County Library

Week-long Paint out in Zion a Success

Working on my "quick draw" painting at Zion National Park

Success! After a week painting en plein air at Zion National Park I'd have to call the whole event a rousing success. The week began on Monday with 24 invited artists from all over the nation setting up in places where Thomas Moran actually painted during an early exploration trip through the Zion area. Each day consisted of outdoor painting, a workshop, a demonstration and a seminar in the evening for both artists and the hundreds of attendees. The week concluded with a "Quick-draw" where the artists all furiously painted a complete piece in 90 minutes while onlookers watched intently. This was followed by a live auction, and finally a gala "wet paint" sale Saturday of all the paintings completed during the week. I must say I was quite tired at the end of the week, but thrilled to spend that much time working outdoors in my favorite place on earth. 40% of all sales went to the Youth and Art Initiative for the Zion National Park Foundation so everyone benefited. As it turns out I was the top selling artist, followed by John Cogan, Joshua Been, and William Scott Jennings. I'd like to thank all the collectors who came out to support us as well as those businesses issuing purchase awards. I was pleased to receive a purchase award from Zion's Bank.

My quick-draw painting underway

My quick draw painting "Zion at Noon" was purchased by Nanette Rosevear of Daytona Beach Florida

Plein Air watercolor problems. When I started this painting early one morning the air was so cold my watercolor paints froze!


"Sentinel in the Morning" was purchased by Bob and Luisa Geiger of Azusa CA


"East Zion Arch" was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. David Webster

College Art Tour of California Museums

The blossoms were in bloom at the Huntington Gardens

Nellie and I were fortunate to be invited to accompany a Dixie State College bus tour to California this week. It always charges up the juices to see fantastic art pieces up close and share the experience with other art appreciators. We visited the Getty museum, LA Art Museum, Getty Villa in Malibu, The Norton Simon museum in Pasadena, The Huntington Library and Gardens, and had a little time for the beach. My overall favorite place is the new Getty Art Museum in Los Angeles. The edifice itself and gardens are stunning by themselves. I always spend the first hour outside just enjoying the sheer design magnificence of the architecture and water feature. From every angle it is a design wonder, juxtaposing hard edges with amorphic natural shapes, with emphasis on the element of texture. And of course the art inside is fabulous indeed.

The recently completed Chinese Garden at the Huntington


Seeing the original artwork up-close is really a treat. Nellie rests her feet while some pretty famous paintings keep an eye on her.



I loved the striking contrast of hard edges and soft graceful curves at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles




The Roman gardens at the Getty Villa in Malibu

My long-time friend and art professor at Dixie State College, Glen Blakely, has introduced thousands of students and community people to the world of art, through his guided trips to Europe, Los Angeles and San Francisco museums.

Eccles Gallery Spotlights Two Local Artists

There are lots of opportunities to enjoy the visual arts in St. George. We are blessed with many artists and some wonderful venues to show their work. Currently on display at the Eccles Gallery at Dixie State College is a three-part exhibit featuring photography, watercolors and three dimensional art. I attended an art talk tonight at the gallery and was intrigued with the depth of thought and meaning behind the work on display.

In the west foyer Mexican-born artist/photographer Ernesto Perez presents a series of black and white photos in an exhibit called "Footprints of Humanity." Perez focuses his lens on little seen images that are all around us but probably go unnoticed. It's a fun exhibit.

In the east foyer is an exhibit called "Feminine Archetypes Around The World And Through The Ages," featuring mixed media, three-dimensional depictions of goddess figures by Pamala Bird. Pamala discussed her paper-casting process which takes over 100 hours to complete. Her artwork celebrate womanhood by drawing from historical images used by many cultures over countless years.

Art professor Glen Blakely gave short vignettes on some of the artists featured in the watercolor display from the Dixie State College permanent collection. The exhibit, curated by Kathy Cieslewicz, is a stunning display of work spanning many years.

BYU Exhibit "Paintings From the Reign of Victoria"

Yesterday I had a chance to see the new traveling exhibit of "Paintings from the Reign of Victoria" on display at Brigham Young University Museum of Art through October 24, 2009. This exhibition includes over 60 nineteenth century paintings acquired by Thomas Holloway for the women’s college he had founded in 1879. All I can say is, "Wow!" The paintings are generally very large and stunning. As a big fan of realism, and genre paintings from that era, I was deeply moved by the work. If you get a chance see this exhibit before it is gone.

The painting above called "A Highland Croft" was painted in 1873 by Peter Graham.

A Century of Sanctuary - The Art of Zion National Park Exhibit

White glove time! Erica Cottam and Deborah Reeder from the St. George Art Museum carefully unwrap an original Thomas Moran painting while Zion Natural History Director Lyman Hafen looks on.

As a member of the board of Directors of the Zion National History Association we are excited about the fantastic art exhibit which is opening this weekend in St. George, Utah. The show has been in the planning stages for over two years and is the kick-off event for Zion National Park's 100 Year anniversary celebration.

The upper level of the art museum will include about 70 historical paintings spanning the period from the late 1800's through the 1900's. The lower level includes paintings by contemporary artists selected by juror Peter Hassrick from over 600 paintings entered in a worldwide competition. Over $30,000.00 in purchase awards will be given out in a special ceremony this Friday night, with the exhibit opening to the public Monday August 25, 2008.

Not only does this exhibit include an exciting variety of images from today's best painters, but the show features original paintings and prints from such luminaries as Thomas Moran, Maynard Dixon, Ansel Adams and others. This will certainly be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Click here for more information about "A Century of Sanctuary - The Art of Zion National Park."

Robert Shepherd Painting added to my Personal Art Collection

Robert Shepherd Painting of Paradise Canyon in Southern Utah near St. George in personal art collection of Roland L. Lee

Robert Shepherd was one of my most revered mentors when I began painting. He passed away many years ago but I was fortunate to inherit his easel, taboret, and many of his personal art books. After selling my first gallery painting in 1980 I purchased one of Robert Shepherd's paintings with the proceeds -- and I still had to make time payments on it. But it hangs in my home proudly.

Today I was fortunate to acquire another full sheet original watercolor painting by Robert Shepherd from one of his major collectors and personal friends. I am thrilled with my new acquisition!

Visiting the Art Museum with my Latino Friends

Kevin Jenkins interviewed me today for an article in the Spanish publication "El Sol." My two friends, Piedad and Victor, came to the St. George Art Museum to see my Canyon Country exhibit. Victor is an artist in woodworking, and Pili is an expert in the culinary arts from my favorite Mexican Restaurant "Irmita's." I am the volunteer director of the local "Daily Dose" English language program for Latinos and enjoy associating with many wonderful people at our Tuesday and Thursday evening classes. I consider every one the students and maestros my personal friends.

Frederick Dellenbaugh Painting of Zion in 1903

Above: Lyman Hafen, Executive director of Zion Natural History Association and Leslie Courtright, Curator of Collections at Zion National Park, stand beside the newly acquired painting by Frederick Dellenbaugh. On the wall behind is a painting of Zion by Roland Lee which is also a part of Zion's permanent collection.

The Zion National Park Foundation, of which I am a board member, was able to buy at auction a wonderful historically significant painting by Frederick Dellenbaugh this week. Through a generous donation from the Eccles Foundation we acquired the piece from an art and antique auction in Knoxville Tennessee. We in turn will donate the piece to the permanent collection of Zion National Park. We're especially excited because we are developing an art exhibit for the 100 year anniversary of Zion Park in 2009. The painting, completed about 1903, depicts Zion National Park from the canyon floor about where Springdale is today.



1903 painting by Frederick Dellenbaugh of Zion National Park