"Call of the Canyon - Zion National Park" PBS Utah Documentary Features Roland Lee

 A wonderful film crew from PBS Utah spent the last two days filming me at my cabin at East Zion, and plein air painting in Zion National Park for a new documentary "Call of the Canyon - Zion National Park". The documentary will address how artists respond to the National Park. Watch for the documentary on tv at a future date.

Roland Lee paints in Zion National Park while being filmed for a new documentary by PBS Utah

Roland Lee painting en plein air in Zion National Park

Roland Lee being interviewed by PBS Utah for Zion Park documentary

January 2020 Master Class

Great first master class of 2020. Four great artists joined me in my private studio classroom for two days painting. Members included Margo Cook, Jon Lee, Vaughn Emett, and Mark Rose. Not pictured in the photos is Margo Cook. Each artist brought their own reference photos, and worked through value studies to come up with good compositions. They then pursued their own paintings in watercolor.

Mark Rose, Jon Lee, Vaughn Emett

Autumn Leaves and Winter Snow Workshop

Meg Mitragotri, from the Bay area, with her class paintings

Becky Whitney of A Passion for Painting Studio opened her classroom for a two-day Roland Lee watercolor workshop. We had eight wonderful artists attend the class. They included: Karen Bettilyon, Randy Peterson, Mark Gamet, Audrey Heaton, Meghana Mitragotri, Jackie Lahee, Cathy Kirby, and Karen. Our painting subjects included applying aerial perspective to snow scenes, along with wet into wet applications for multiple pigments in the sky and snow, and using negative painting on the trees. Their paintings were very good. We also worked on the same techniques as they applied to autumn foliage. I have posted my classroom demonstration paintings here.

Roland Lee workshop demonstration painting "Autumn at the Lake"
Collection Karen Bettilyon

Roland Lee workshop demonstration painting "Winter Snow"
Collection Randy Peterson

Maynard Dixon Country 2018 a Huge Success

Artists Roland Lee and Glenn Renell at the 2018 Maynard Dixon Country event in Mt. Carmel UT

Some of the nation's best artists got together for a week of learning and comeraderie at the Maynard Dixon Country 2018 event. They were treated to artists demonstrations, presentations, seminars, along with great food, music, and outdoor painting. Held annually at the Maynard Dixon property in Mount Carmel UT the event is sponsored by the Thunderbird Foundation.

Roland Lee and Zion Plein Air Invitational featured in Etched magazine

Thanks to Lyman Hafen for the excellent article in Etched magazine. The Zion National Park Plein Air Art Invitational  is the first week in November 2016. Roland Lee will be presenting a painting demonstration in watercolor at the Zion Human History Museum on Wednesday November 9.

Bryan Mark Taylor Workshop at Mt. Carmel Utah

Bryan Mark Taylor (left) and Roland Lee plein air painting in Zion National Park

I participated in a great workshop last week with one of my favorite plein air artists, Brian Mark Taylor. The event was sponsored by Paul and Susan Bingham through the Thunderbird Foundation headquartered at the famous Maynard Dixon Property in Mt. Carmel Utah. We were able to hone our plein air skills in oil while painting in Zion National Park, Mount Carmel, and along the river in the Barracks. Thanks to Brian for coming down to share his expertise.

Bryan Mark Taylor in Zion National Park

Karen Lee Luz plein air painting in Zion with her Strada Easel

Plein air painting in Zion National Park

Roland Lee Plein Air Painting in Snow Canyon State Park

A group of wonderful artists looked on as I painted a little plein air watercolor painting of the red cliffs in Snow Canyon State Park recently. After the demonstration, we went on a little nature hike where I showed them the unique features of the canyon. Then they embarked on their own paintings.

Watching Roland Lee painting demonstration using a Sienna All-in-one box

Connie Madsen gets tips from Roland Lee

Finding "Moki Marbles" on the petrified sand dunes

Pretending we are Mountain Goats on Galoot Hill

Roland and Kathy McFadden discuss her painting

Cheryl Sasche had a nice outdoor setup for plein air painting

Jenee Wunderlich came all the way from Hawaii for the workshop

Sue Roach from Las Vegas Nevada

Mark Rose from American Falls Idaho

Mona Woolsey is an experienced painter

All Media Workshop held at New Electric Theater Arts Center

Great group of artists for Roland Lee's all-media workshop

About 15 artists signed up for my latest workshop sponsored by the Southern Utah Art Guild. It was held in St. George City's new Electric Theater Arts Complex. the facilities were wonderful and the artists were certainly equal to the task, as I presented my favorite tips and techniques from years of painting. Most were watercolorists, while about five painted in oils or acrylics. Thanks to Paul Jensen and the others on the workshop committee for their hard work in putting it all together. Participants included: Barbara Allen, Annie Barber, Maureen Booth, Stephen Cherry, Judy Ewing, Ilona Fellows, Sandy Fullerton, Sage Gallager, Jan Hansen, Paul Jensen, Georgia Johnson, Lynnette, Loughton, Mary Manning, Karen March, Carolyn Williams, Barbara Stevens.

A nice workshop facility at the Electric Theater Arts Center

Roland Lee does watercolor painting landscape demonstration

Roland Lee uses Powerpoint to teach art concepts during workshop

Utah Watercolor Society Workshop Scheduled March 18-19 in Salt Lake City

"Lake Powell Lustre" 11 x 14 Watercolor by Roland Lee

Join me in Salt Lake City March 18-19, 2016 for a two-day mini workshop called "Light Up Your Landscapes." Sponsored by the Utah Watercolor Society, the workshop will focus on seeing what nature does to catch our attention, and building up great paintings from mediocre reference photos. Both members and non-members of UWS can register. The event will be held at the Sons of Utah Pioneers Meeting Hall. Click here for complete information.

Roland Lee and Royden Card team up for Arts to Zion Studio Event

The paintings of Roland Lee and Royden Card are featured in this new book

Artist and printmaker Royden Card and painter Roland Lee will share the studio during the Arts to Zion Studio Tour January 14 -16, 2016. Royden is know for his wonderful color-filled oil landscapes as well as his striking hand-pulled prints. Both artists will have work on display and be demonstrating their art forms to visitors during the three-day event. Roland Lee and Royden card are featured in the book Art of the National Parks published recently. Visitors to the studio event will receive a special free gift. 165 North 100 East, St. George UT

Watercolor Painting Demonstration at LaFave Gallery

Kathy LaFave (left) and Roland Lee with a blank sheet before beginning his watercolor painting demonstration at LaFave Gallery in Springdale Utah

The Zion Watchman 10 x 14 watercolor painting completed  during demonstration at Lafave Gallery

Members of the Copper Club, donors to the Natural History Museum of Utah watch as Roland Lee presents a demonstration at the Lafave Gallery in Springdale Utah

Friday night I was invited to do a private watercolor painting demonstration at the LaFave Gallery in Springdale Utah. Attending the presentation were about 50 members of the "Copper Club", who are donors to the Natural History Museum of Utah. They were spending a couple of days in Zion National Park. It was fun to talk to them while I painted and it was clear many of them were either art collectors or had painting experience because they were very interested in my techniques. I was pleased to have a new collector, Mr. Aoki, purchase one of my originals for his collection. Thanks to Kathy LaFave, whose gallery is absolutely first class.

Roland Lee Drawing and Sketch Book Journaling Workshop

Roland Lee Drawing Class in St. George Utah

Learning to see edges as value changes

Eight accomplished artists joined together for my April class on Sketchbook drawing and journaling. It was a fun experience with some quality art produced. We started in the studio with a powerpoint demonstration and exercises to hone our ability to see values, edges, and shapes--key elements in drawing. The techniques I taught were designed to give them the tools they need to draw anything in nature. We then went outdoors to sketch on location at Green Gate Village, a delightful place with pioneer homes, buggies, and old cars. Ed and Lindy Sandstrom, the owners, are kind enough to allow our workshop participants to sketch there frequently. Those attending included: Kurtis Larsen, Mark Rose, Peggy Hackney, Elsa Howard, Sharon Bunderson, Shari Cannon, Yvonne Hatton and Carol Lopacinski.

Gathering for a group photo at Green Gate Village during Roland Lee Drawing Workshop

Carol Lopacinski getting ready to sketch at Green Gate Village

Kurtis Larsen working in his sketch book at Green Gate Village

Shari Cannon sketching on the lawn at Green Gate Village in St. George Utah

Artist Mark Gunn Rose drawing on location in his Watson Guptill Sketchbook

Peggy Hackney finds a comfortable place to sketch during Roland Lee Drawing Workshop in St. George

Elsa Howard, Peggy Hackney and Shari Cannon in the studio during a Roland Lee Drawing Workshop at A Passion for Painting

Sharon Bunderson, Yvonne Hatton, and Kurtis Larson in Roland Lee Drawing Workshop