Famous Painting Re-do

Okay all of us have gone a little crazy during the Coronavirus shut down. So our family accepted the challenge to re-enact famous paintings. My wife Nellie and I decided to do Arrangement in Grey and Black (Whistlers Mother) by James A. McNeill Whistler and the Old Guitarist by Pablo Picasso. I think we pretty much nailed it. lol! All the paintings are below.

Arrangement in Grey and black - portrait of Whistlers Mother by James A. McNeill Whistler

The Old Guitarist by Pablo Picasso

My Son Jim Lee Presents First One-man Show

I am so proud of my two sons, Jim and Jon Lee, who are both having one-man exhibits at the same time right now. Jon's is at the Kanab Library and Jim hosted one at his home studio in Highland Utah. Jim had a great turnout and sold 13 paintings. He recently completed his 100th watercolor painting as well and has won a number of awards.

Jon Lee presents first one-man exhibit at the Kanab Library

I helped my son, Jonathan Lee, set up his first one-man show at the Kanab Library this week. The show includes 15 watercolors which will remain on display for the next three months.  He will give a talk at an artists reception Friday Nov.1 7pm. Give him a shout-out at brushmileage@gmail.com.

Jon Lee (on Ladder) with his mom Nellie Lee and son Dallin Lee.

Jon Lee has 15 watercolors on display at the Kanab City Library

Hanging the show at Kanab Library

Watercolor artist Jonathan Lee

29 Paintings Sold at 3-Man Show

Jim, Jonathan and Roland Lee hanging paintings for their first three-man show at the Roland Lee Art Gallery in St. George, UT.

Wow, what a fun experience having my two sons, Jim and Jonathon, join me for a three-man show at my St. George Gallery. I took most of my own artwork down except for about ten paintings and literally filled my walls with the watercolors of my sons. Both have been really good at drawing since childhood, but only in the past two years have taken up painting. So it was  areal thrill to have them join me for our first big show together. We had lots of people come to the opening reception Thursday night, and all day Friday and Saturday. Amazingly we sold 29 paintings between the three of us so it was a resounding success. I hope we can do it again some time.

120 artists at Plein Air Utah Retreat and Rendezvous

100 artists joined 22 faculty members at the Plein Air Utah Retreat and Rendezvous last week in Midway Utah. Four days of seminars, outdoor painting, talks, demos, food and fun rounded out the event. Heavy rain slowed us down Tuesday and Wednesday but glorious weather greeted us the remainder of the week. The event was co-sponsored and hosted by the Plein Air Painters of Utah group who acted as instructors and faculty, along with the Midway Art Association who acted as hosts, providing facilities and staffing. We can't wait until next year.

Jon Lee shows off his plein air painting to admirers at Plein Air Utah

A presentation in the Midway Town Hall at Plein Air Utah 2019

Roland Lee, Jim Lee, and Jon Lee at the Plein Air Utah Retreat and Rendezvous

Roland Lee, Jim Lee, and Jon Lee at the Plein Air Utah Retreat and Rendezvous

Roland Lee does a live watercolor demonstration

Taking over the Watercolor World

I have been coaching my two sons in watercolor the past few months and encouraging them to enter a few shows. All three of us entered the Utah Watercolor Society Small Painting Show and all three of us got in. The theme was florals, since the show is at the Red Butte Gardens in Salt Lake City. Show runs from June 22 to July 15. Hooray, we are taking over the watercolor world as a family!

Flower 5 x 7 watercolor by Jim Lee

Tulip 5 x 7 watercolor by Jon Lee

Lion House Flowers 4 x 6 watercolor by Roland Lee

Watercolor Painting with my Sons

I had fun running my two sons, Jim and Jon, through a three-day "Watercolor Boot Camp" this week. Both are already accomplished artists but wanted some one-on-one studio time with their old dad. We were all exhausted when it was over but it was so fun. Nothing I love better than sharing art with my kids and grandkids.

Jim on the left and Jon on the right. 

Jim with two of his watercolor landscapes

Roland critiques Jim's painting

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