Great Master Class with Classy Artists

I was joined in my studio classroom for a "Master Class" with five outstanding artists yesterday and today. Such a thrill to work with such inspired artists. We truly learn a lot from each other.

Roland Lee, Margo Cook, Myron Laub, Sally Valitan, and Connie Madsen

Mark Rose, Shari Cannon, Sally Valitan, and Connie Madsen

New Paintings of Zion Narrows

I've been working on some studio paintings of the Zion Narrows from photos I took. What a beautiful place that is. My favorite is to hike up from the bottom as far as Orderville Canyon, then back out again. The colors on the canyon walls are just amazing, being intensified by the reflecting light from side to side. All that above, with some strong reflections in the water below, make for a very colorful hike. However, the older I get the harder it is to hike on slime-covered bowling balls while freezing-cold knee-deep rushing water incessantly tries to push you backwards. But the view is certainly worth it.

Zion Narrows 10 x 14 Watercolor by Roland Lee

Winners at Utah Watercolor Society Spring Exhibition

I was pleased to receive an Award of Merit at the 2017 Spring exhibition of the Utah Watercolor Society. The show is on exhibit at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center May 3 through June 29. My painting "Navajo Loop Trail" was given the award.

My daughter Jennie Lee receives my award in my absence. Award Winners: Best of Show - Sisters - Irene Rampton Award of Excellence - Old School - Colleen Reynolds  Evolution - Kathy Sutherland Award of Merit - Chilling in the Grass - Lori Burchinal She’s Tenacious - Mary Pusey Navajo Loop Trail - Roland Lee Juror’s Award -  Annie - Angela Kotter Remnant - Debra Makoff Quoth the Raven - Roxane Pfister Rte 66 Mirage - Ann Galt Past President’s Award - Gooseneck Point - Chariya Ernst Merchant Award - Autumn Meadow - Lucy Beale Partridge Night Dancing - Linda Flannery London Rainy Day - Kristi Grussendorf Mi Casa - Lynda Burrus Still Life, Still Dieting - Angela Kotter

Spring Plein Air Watercolor Workshop at Mt. Carmel

Jon Lee painting the Mt. Carmel Cliffs

Really fun time at my watercolor workshop this week. We headquartered at the Orderville Events Center with a beautiful classroom facility and did plein air painting in the Mt. Carmel/East Zion/Bryce areas. We enjoyed painting in the steps of Maynard Dixon and Milford Zornes and were able to tour the Maynard Dixon home and studio thanks to the graciousness of Paul and Susan Bingham.

Classroom at the Orderville North Events Center

Workshop participants included: Kathy McFadden, Nannette Child, Linda Miller, Barbara Prestwich, Mark Rose, Micki Hutchinson, JoAnn Hall, Summer Stratton, Nancy Thompson, Pat Christensen, Max Lee and Jon Lee

Kathy McFadden plein air painting

Hard at work

Nanette Child and Micki Hutchinson work on their paintings

Mark Rose painting outdoors

Barbara Prestwich plein air painting at workshop 

Summer Stratton shows off watercolor painting

Micki Hutchinson at work in Orderville Utah

Max Lee working on his sketchbook

Pat Christensen finds a shady spot to paint

Susan Bingham takes us on a tour of the Maynard Dixon property in Mt. Carmel Utah

Linda Miller does a sketchbook study

JoAnn Hall and Jon Lee painting en plein air

Nancy Thompson finds a shady spot to sketch

Blown Away at the Rockville Bridge Plein Air Event

The winds howled, and we had to hang on to our paintings, but we weathered three days of outdoor painting to raise funds for the Rockville Bridge restoration. Luckily I had my trusty art assault vehicle, my 1988 Toyota 4x4 with 1992 Six Pac Super Mini Camper to help block the wind and provide shelter from time to time. All 15 invited artists had a blast and we had good sales as well.

1988 Toyota Hilux with Six Pac Camper - The perfect Art Vehicle

1988 Toyota Hilux with Six Pac Camper at Smith Mesa

1988 Toyota Hilux with Six Pac Camper in front of Mount Kinesava at Zion

Roland Lee plein air painting on Grafton Road near Zion

Had to duck out of the wind behind my 1988 Toyota Hilux with Six Pac Camper 

Painting the cliffs of Zion National Park from Grafton Road. Plein air by Roland Lee

First Place at St. George Art Festival

Over 110 artists and 30,000 visitors showed up for the 38th edition of the St. George Art Festival. I was happy to win First Place in watercolor for my painting "Navajo Loop Trail - Bryce Canyon." Thanks to all who stopped by my display  and a special thanks to some wonderful new collectors who purchased six of my original paintings during

Happy collectors make a happy artist

Roland Lee and first place award at the St. George Art Festival

the festival.

Paintings Ready for St. George Art Festival

Two little 6 x 9 gems framed in gold by Roland Lee

Now in its 38th year, the St. George Art Festival gets underway this weekend April 14-15, 2017. I have exhibited my paintings at this wonderful outdoor art show since the first year, and once again, I'm ready to go for the 2017 edition. Stop by my booth C-15 where I will over 30 original paintings on display.

"A Table for Two" 6 x 9 watercolor by Roland Lee

UPCOMING EVENTS

I have a number of exhibits and art events coming up soon. I would love to have you come and see my newest paintings. Click here to see my 2017 schedule of Events

I am involved in a number of Plein Air events this year

Roland Lee Speed Painting

I've started releasing a few time lapse videos of my paintings. It's kind of fun to watch several hours compressed into 40 seconds -- great for people with short attention spans. Take a look at this one of a beautiful desert sunset. "Sand Hollow Sunset"
Click here to view video

"Sand Hollow Sunset" Watercolor painting by Roland Lee
Watch a short 40 second time-lapse video

Kellers Purchase Painting of Spain Scene

I've enjoyed working on a few paintings from our recent trip to Spain. One of my favorite places we visited was the famous "Alhambra" in Granada. I did some sketching there, of course, and also shot some reference photos which I have been able to use in creating these new studio pieces. I was pleased that my good collectors, Gary and Linda Keller, purchased my painting "Palacio del Generalife," or "Summer Palace," one of the spectacular palaces in the Alhambra complex.

"Palacio del Generalife" 10 x 14 watercolor of "The Alhambra" by Roland Lee

Gary and Linda Keller purchased this painting of the "Alhambra" in Granada Spain.