Solace at Sinawava - finished Painting of Zion National Park

This is the finished painting I've been working on for a couple of weeks. I named it "Solace at Sinawava." The Temple of Sinawava is at the entrance to Zion Narrows.

New Painting of Zion National Park

I've been working on this big painting for two weeks and thought I'd show it off a little. The location is in Zion National Park near the Temple of Sinawava. This is where they filmed my watercolor class for the new documentary on the Zion Centennial. The river is low in the fall but the reflections are amazing with the yellow cottonwoods in full color. I was anxious to get back and start this painting.I should finish the painting off tomorrow.

Roland Lee Watercolor Class filmed for Zion National Park Documentary

Sound man holds boom microphone on Sandra Feldman (left) while cameras roll on artists Vanessa McCullough and Lola Krummenacher (center) and Myron Laub (right) as they work on paintings on location by the Virgin River in Zion National Park.

Yesterday I conducted a painting workshop in Zion National Park. But this was a little different. This time we were followed around by a film crew making a video documentary about the Centennial of Zion National Park. Emmy award winning film producer Phil Tuckett, with 30 Emmy awards to his credit, is producing the film leading a crew from the advanced film production program at Dixie State College. In the photo above I stand by the demonstration painting I completed near the Temple of Sinawava.

A Cameraman zooms in on artist John Mangels while John's wife enjoys the show. At first the artists were shy, but once they got into their paintings they forgot about the cameras. The filming took several hours.

Dick Rose works on a small watercolor painting by the Virgin River near the Temple of Sinawava. Dick is president of the Southern Utah Watercolor Society.

English Cottage Lane Watercolor Painting

This little painting came on the tail end of the paintings for my England and Europe one man show at Mission Gallery. I shot several photos during the process and finally got time to post them. This is a little lane in England.

After doing a quick outline sketch on the watercolor paper I begin with some very broad washes, wet-into-wet, allowing the pigments to blend freely from warm at the top to cool in the shadow areas.

With the underglazes in place and dry, I begin painting the dark areas on the cottages and the distant trees.

Next to the finished painting is the original photo I used as reference. Obviously I always use a lot of artistic license in my paintings. Remember my role as an artist is not to duplicate a photo, but to create a new image based on my own personal experiences.

click for more step by step process in painting "Cottage Lane"

Click for information on purchasing this painting of Cottage Lane in Kent England

November Watercolor Painting Class

We enjoyed another watercolor class with some great artists yesterday. We devoted our classtime to a study of how to paint water, and everyone did great. Class members included: Phil Larsen, Lottie Hurst, Lillie Jones, Karen Bettilyon, Vicki Clayton, Shari Cannon, and Gail Alger.

England-Europe Art Show Opening a Success

Over 100 people turned out last night for the opening of my new one-person art show of England and European paintings. the show was held in Jane Juber's new art gallery space in Ancestor Square which worked out great. We had lots of room to accommodate the crowd plus seating space for my slide presentation and talk. About 50 people were present for the discussion.



Along with the 15 original paintings, I displayed images from my travel sketchbooks and step-by-step demonstration posters. All in all it was a great evening. The show will remain on display through the month of November. Stop by if you get a chance. Mission Gallery 173 North Main Street St. George UT 84770.





The Spectrum Newspaper article on Roland Lee Art Show by Lisa Larson

Watercolor Painting of Tonbridge England

I thought I'd post photos of some of my new paintings as we get ready for my one-man show this Thursday. Maybe just a little preview. This was a house near the Tonbridge Castle in Kent England.

The painting started with a thumbnail value study, then a light outline drawing on the watercolor paper. the paint is applied in glazes from light to dark pigment.







Painting of Tonbridge England - purchase information

Painting of Tonbridge - step by step painting demonstration on how to paint water reflections

Hiking to Angels Landing in Zion National Park

Above: Angels Landing rises 1500 feet above the Zion Canyon floor. Below: The view from the top.


I figured it was time to get out of the studio and fill the creative bucket, so I spent the day today in Zion National Park. I had in mind to get "above it all" with a hike to Angels Landing. It's not a long hike but takes about 4 hours round trip. It was 28 degrees when I parked my truck and took the canyon shuttle to the Grotto. But things warmed up considerably as I started up the switchbacks that led to Refrigerator Canyon. The leaves still haven't turned yet, but there was enough color to add drama to the scene.

A series of 21 switchbacks called "Walters Wiggles" made my legs burn and my lungs ache by the time I leveled off at Scout Lookout. Here things get interesting with a Class 3 scramble assisted by well-placed chains across a narrow 3 foot wide passage with 1500-foot drop offs on BOTH sides. Not for the faint of heart, but it was all worth it as an incredible view opened up on both sides of the canyon from the small perch at the top.


What a place to relax and enjoy my baloney sandwich while taking in the view and the crisp wind. I ignored the hopeful appeal for a handout from the resident chipmunks, but couldn't ignore the two huge Condors that appeared with a rush of wind and soared on their huge wings right past the peak. Finally I started down the chains and worked my way back to civilization. Now that's the way to spend a day!

You're Invited to My Art Show featuring New Paintings from England and Europe

"Village in Kent" a watercolor painting by Roland Lee which will be in the upcoming one-man-show at Mission Gallery November 6, 2008

I will be presenting a One-man-show at the Mission Gallery during the month of November, and you are invited. You can download an invitation here or go to my website for complete information. I will be presenting my new paintings of England and Europe, along with my travel sketchbooks. I will also give an art talk about our travels and the new paintings at 7 p.m. on Thursday November 6, 2008. An Artists reception will be held the same evening from 6 - 9pm at the Tower Building in Historic Ancestor Square next to the Painted Pony Restaurant. For the remainder of November the Art show will move to the Mission Gallery at 173 North main, St. George, Utah. For more information call Jane Juber at the Mission Gallery 435-688-7278.

Download an invitation (pdf)

A trip to Zion National Park, and a Visit to my Studio

I had a nice visit at my studio this morning with three nice ladies spending the weekend at Zion National Park. Theresa, Brenda, and Linda were visiting from northern Utah, basking in the warm sun and cool canyons of Zion. While there they purchased a "Century of Sanctuary" book and one of my Zion prints at the ZNHA bookstore. They also enjoyed the Zion Centennial art show at the St. George Art Museum where they saw my original painting of Zion's West Temple. It's always fun to meet those who appreciate my work.