Workshop demonstration paintings

This is one of the snow paintings I began in my February workshop and finished up in the studio. We were working on how to paint water reflections.



We all used the same photo reference and worked on this painting together. First we planned the design with a thumbnail sketch deciding where we wanted the emphasis to be. then we went to work. I was pleased with the student's results and felt many of them were more exciting than mine was.

February 2-Day Watercolor Painting Workshop

Today we started another 2-day workshop at A Passion for Painting Art Gallery. It's great to rub shoulders with such a quality group of artists. Pretty much any of them could have been teaching this workshop instead of me--in fact Lola and Shari currently are teaching painting classes. Artists include:Sue Sheets, Carrie Ruppe, Jon Elliot, Boots Nelson, Karen Bettilyon, Shari Cannon, Lola Krummenacher, and Gail Alger.

Las Vegas Private Art Show

Last night we had a wonderful 6-person private art show in Las Vegas at the lovely home of Doug and Lori Gerrard. The show was sponsored by the Mission Gallery and featured works of J. Kirk Richards, Marty Ricks, Frederick Stephens, David Koch, Annette Everett and Roland Lee. Special thanks to the many collectors who turned out and to new collectors Nick and Christina Leventis who purchased my painting "Autumn Farm."

Famous Artists and Art Collectors

This evening a group of young artists and future art collectors dropped by my art studio for a tour. After showing them around the studio we talked about the role of artists and how we interpret the world around us. They had some great questions and I have no doubt some will be professional artists one day. I gave each young man a print and a box of cards to take home with them. The boys were from the Red Cliffs First Ward Boy Scouts.

Roland Lee photo of Red Mountain Snow on KSL TV

We had a rare blast of weather today. It rarely snows in St. George, but at about 2:50 this afternoon, a front rolled in with gale-force winds and sleet which covered the red hills with a white blanket in just minutes. It continued all afternoon, and made a great view when the clouds finally broke. On the way home from the studio I stopped and shot a photo of the snow on the big Red Mountain and e-mailed it to KSL Television in Salt Lake City. They aired the photo on the weather during tonight's 10pm newscast.

Carl Purcell Visits my Studio

Carl Purcell stopped by my studio following his watercolor workshop. We were joined by Mr. and Mrs. Williams from Farmington, who also stopped by the gallery to check out my new paintings. They had previously purchased one of Carl's paintings but never had the chance to meet him. So we all enjoyed a nice visit.

Carl Purcell Painting Workshop

Artist Carl Purcell demonstrates for the Southern Utah Watercolor Society

The Southern Utah Watercolor Society sponsored a watercolor painting workshop with Carl Purcell this past week. What an outstanding teacher and artist! I own two of Carl's original paintings and was able to trade him for a third painting while he was here. One of the originals that I own appears in his new book by Northlight press, "Painting with Your Artist's Brain." The same painting also appeared in an article by Carl in the September issue of "Artists Magazine." I also picked up a couple of nice original drawings that appear in in his Northlight book, "Drawing with your Artist's Brain."


"Northern Exposure" painted by Carl Purcell and owned by Roland Lee, appears in the new book as one of the demonstration pieces.


Roland Lee (left) and Carl Purcell in Roland's studio.

Carl Purcell actually taught the first watercolor workshop I ever attended back in 1978 and was very influential in launching my watercolor painting career. It was fun to have him come down to southern Utah and Teach our watercolor group. Thanks to Dick Rose the SUWS president for all his hard work to line up these great workshops.

More Travel Sketch Book Drawings

I had a few minutes to scan some of the drawings from my Travel Sketchbook. These were done last week on our cruise to Ensenada, Mexico. I carried a Watson-Guptill hardbound 5" x 8" sketchbook which is my favorite for travelling. I used a 4B pencil for most of the drawings which were all completed on location. I spent about 10 minutes on each one.



The Holly House on Catalina Island



Seaside Village in San Diego



Boats in the San Diego Harbor

Newest Roland Lee Painting Purchased

Today Mr. and Mrs. John Mangels became the owners of my newest painting "Fence Line Fury." Living near the mouth of Snow Canyon, they enjoy outstanding views of the red cliffs. John attended my recent watercolor workshop and watched as I demonstrated this painting in class. They also purchased "Big Red Mountain" which portrayed a view seen from their home.

Cruise to Mexico Sketchbook Drawings

Last night we returned from a week-long cruise to Ensenada Mexico, with stops at Catalina Island and San Diego, California. The weather was magnifient with temperatures in the low 70's and the sea air was good for my soul and my body. Of course I packed along my sketchbook and did lots of drawings which will inspire some future paintings. If I get time I'll post a few more sketch book drawings next week.

Top image: Sketchbook drawing of a roofline in Ensenada Mexico. Left image: Sketchbook drawing of buildings on the wharf at Catalina Island.