Painting with the grandkids

It was fun to have some of my grandkids stop by the SUMA Chasing Light plein air event in Cedar City Utah. After painting for a week outdoors, all 15 artists did painting demos on Saturday at the Southern Utah Museum of Art on the campus of Southern Utah University.

Roland and Nellie Lee with grandkids, Keenan, Kade, Zach, Sarah, and Sam 

Roland Lee demonstrates watercolor for his grandaughter Sarah at the SUMA Chasing Light plein Air event.

Sarah Simmons gets a turn working on Roland Lee's painting

Plein Air Painting at Cedar Breaks and Kolob Canyons

Lots of new plein air paintings came out of the SUMA Chasing Light Plein Air event. 15 artists painted outdoors in both Cedar Breaks National Monument as well as the Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park.

Roland Lee plein air painting at Cedar Breaks

Sunset View overlook at Cedar Breaks National Monument

Evening painting at Kolob Canyons in Zion National Park

Demonstration painting for the SUMA plein air invitational

Painting in progress at Kolob Canyons

Painting along side my trusty art assault vehicle a 1988 Toyota pickup with Six Pac camper

Paintings Sold at Maynard Dixon Campout

In spite of the high temperatures and dusky skies from the Brian Head fire, the Maynard Dixon Campout turned out great. We saw some great demonstrations and painted shoulder to shoulder with some terrific plein air artists. I was happy to meet several new collectors including Don Freitas and Darci Quane who purchased two paintings, "Don't Fence Me In," and "Vermillion Cliffs"  and Lucy and Eric Esplin who purchased a plein air piece called "Up the Muddy."

Roland Lee and Lucy Esplin at the Maynard Dixon Campout

Roland Lee plein air paintings at the 2017 Maynard Dixon campout

Roland Lee with Darci Quane and Don Freitas at the Maynard Dixon Campout. They purchased "Don't Fence Me in."

Headed for the Maynard Dixon Campout

Jeff Pugh, Gary Ernest Smith, and Roland Lee at the 2016 Maynard Dixon Campout

Getting ready to head out to the Maynard Dixon Campout put on by Paul and Susan Bingham of the Thunderbird Foundation. Headquartered each summer at the Maynard Dixon's home and studio at Mt. Carmel UT, the event brings together some of the best plein air painters in America for four days of seminars, presentations, demos, and outdoor painting near East Zion. The week concludes with a casual "wet paint" show and sale of artists work. Click for more information.
Participating Artists include:

• Joshua Baird
• Susan D Bingham
• Lyn Boyer
• G. Russell Case
• Susan Gallacher
• Robert Goldman
• David Griffin
• Colleen K. Howe
• Travis Humphreys
• Peggi Kroll-Roberts
• Shanna Kunz
• Roland Lee
• Carolyn Lord
• D. LaRue Mahlke
• Charles Muench
• Barbara Mulleneaux
• Glenn Renell
• Spike Ress
• Ray Roberts
• Mike Simpson
• Mian Situ
• Bill Suys
• John Taft
• Kaia Thomas
• Lewis Williams

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.