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

2018-19 Utah Museums Traveling Exhibit

Roland Lee watercolor "Coal Creek" will be part of the 2019 Utah travellng exhibit

I am grateful to Fletcher Booth of the Utah Division of Arts and Museums for selecting my watercolor painting "Coal Creek," a painting of Cedar Mountain, to be part of the 2018-2019 traveling exhibit which will display first at the Utah State Capitol and at then at schools throughout Utah during the coming year.

UWS Juror's Award 2018 Spring Juried exhibition

Roland Lee received award at 2018 Spring Open Juried exhibition of Utah Watercolor Society

It's always good to be accepted in a juried exhibition but it is especially nice to receive an award. I was notified I have received "Juror's Award" for my painting "Zion Narrows" at the 2018 Spring Utah Watercolor Society Show. Thanks to juror Jeannie McGuire for the consideration.

"Zion Narrows" $200 Jurors Award at 2018 UWS Spring Art Show at VAI institute in Salt Lake City

Connie Madsen and Maddie Morrill Art Show

I am so proud of my long-time student Connie Madsen who presented her first-ever watercolor show this past week. I was able to attend her show which was presented at her lovely home in Holladay Utah. She was joined by her talented granddaughter Maddie Morrill, a recent college art graduate who showed her intricate and detailed watercolor and acrylic paintings. Her sketchbook is a work of art i itself. Needless to say, my wife Nellie and I left with three of Connie's and three of Maddie's originals to add to our own collection.

Three watercolors by Connie Madsen added to my collection

Showing off the amazing sketchbook of artist Maddie Morrill

Plein Air Painters of Utah at Vermillion Cliffs and Marble Canyon Arizona

Roland Lee works on plein air painting at Vermillion Cliffs. Photo by Tom Howard

Getting a plein air painting started at Vermillion Cliffs

Finished plein air painting at Vermillion Cliffs

Painting by my trusty Six Pac camper

We had a fun week with the Plein Air Painters of Utah (PAPU) as we travelled to Vermillion Cliffs National Recreation area in Arizona. Russell Case showed us a few of his favorite painting spots including a tremendous view overlooking Marble Canyon.

I camped at Lee's Ferry for three nights in my Six Pac camper. this is my art assault vehicle.

These strange Toadstools or Hoodoos look like they will topple over any minute on my Six Pac camper

Finished plein air Painting 6 x 9 at Vermillion Cliffs AZ

I enjoyed painting and filling my sketchbook with on location drawings

Join me at Plein Air Utah September 12-15

The Plein Air Artists of Utah have teamed up with the Midway Arts Association to present the second Plein Air Utah event September 12-15, 2018. Part rendezvous, part workshop, and plenty of fun, the event had 100 attendees last year. This years event is nearly sold out already so register now if you get a chance. the cost is $350 for all events.

The Midway Town Hall is the site of daily seminars and the art show at Plein Air Utah

Roland Lee painting at Plein Air Utah event in Midway UT

Roland Lee painting at Plein Air Utah 

April Watercolor Master Class

Front: Margo Cook, Jan Hansen, Shari Cannon, Susie Bytheway
Back: Mark Rose, Roland Lee

Wow! Another great Master Class with some special painters. Each worked on their own paintings while I coached them along. All the finished pieces are well-done and framable. I work with four or five experienced artists for two days each month in my studio and love it. Congratulations to all!

Utah Watercolor Society Spring Open Exhibit

I'm grateful to have two paintings juried into the 2018 Spring Open Exhibition of the Utah Watercolor Society. The exhibit will be at the Visual Arts Institute in Salt Lake City May 11 through June 16, 2018.

"Zion Narrows" 10 x 14 Watercolor

"Coal Creek" 18 x 24 Watercolor

Invited to present at Maynard Dixon Campout and Symposium in August

Watercolorists Roland Lee and Jim Asher on the Maynard Dixon Property 

I have been invited to attend the Maynard Dixon Campout August 22-25 as a featured presenter and demonstrator. This will be an excellent opportunity to attend several seminars and demonstrations by some top western artists.

The following artists will be symposium participants and/or give painting demonstrations:

John Taft

Lorenzo Chavez

Robert Goldman

Spike Ress

Brett Allen Johnson

Colleen Howe

David Lee

Denise Mahlke

Mark Fehlman

Ray Roberts

Peggi Kroll-Roberts

Joshua Baird

Roland Lee

Happy Collectors Leave with Paintings

Jill Romney with Roland Lee and painting "Heaps Canyon"

Leslie Layton and Roland Lee with painting "Chessman Columbines"

Two wonderful collectors added new watercolor paintings to their collections today after stopping by my St. George studio. Jill Romney purchased "Heaps Canyon" while Leslie Layton bought "Zion Narrows." Leslie also bought my Utah Watercolor Society best of show award-winning painting "Chessman Columbines." Recently she also purchased my Dixie Watercolor Society Best of Show painting, "East Zion Aria."