Posters for Roland Lee Plein Air Presentations at Bryce Canyon National Park

Two great posters were created for the 2017 Bryce Canyon National Park Geology Festival. They include the schedule of events with included talks from Rebecca McKean and Roland Lee. Posters designed by Peter Densmore. The amazing illustrations were created by Jennifer Cullings.

Posters for 2017 Bryce Canyon Geology Festival featuring Rebecca McKean and Roland Lee

Artist in Residence Bryce Canyon Geology Festival

Bryce Canyon Chief of Interpretation Kathleen Gonder and artist Roland Lee

Roland Lee plein air watercolor painting at Bryce Canyon Geology Festival

Roland Lee giving a plein air painting demonstration on the rim at Bryce Canyon.

It was a busy, but enjoyable time this past week as a guest artist for the Bryce Canyon National Park's annual Geology Festival. I presented live plein air watercolor painting demonstrations on the rim at Sunset and Inspiration Points on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, as well as giving two talks with powerpoints on Friday and Saturday afternoons. Thanks to the Bryce Canyon Natural History Association for organizing the event along with Rangers Todd Cummings and Peter Densmore who assisted each day with my demos, and to Chief of Interpretation Kathleen Gonder who joined us out on the rim.

Ranger Todd Cullings talks about the Bryce geology during my plein air demo.

Plein Air Presentation at Bryce Canyon This Week

Headed to Bryce Canyon National Park for the annual Geology Festival. I will be a presenting artist and do several outdoor painting demonstrations and two talks. See the schedule below.

Roland Lee painting at Bryce Canyon National Park for Geology Festival

Collectors Purchase new Plein Air Paintings at Chasing Light show

It was great to see past collectors and meet new ones at the Chasing Light Plein Air event. Co-sponsored by Cedar Breaks National Monument and Southern Utah Art Museum, the event featured 15 painters working outdoors all week in Cedar Breaks and Kolob Canyons, Zion National Park. A gala event was held featuring a wet paint show and sale at the end of the week.

I was pleased to have the Nymans purchase a painting for their collection

Laura Cotts purchased a Roland Lee watercolor

The Coughtry's added another Roland Lee painting to their collection at the Chasing Light Plein Air gala 

13 of the 15 artists participating in the SUMA Chasing Light Plein Air event. Back; Roland Lee, Brad Holt, Arlene Braithwaite, Ellie Williams, Valerie Orlemann, Mary Jabens, Rachel Petitt, Bruce Gomez, Front: Doug Braithwaite, Michelle Condrat, George Handrahan, Susie Hyer, Cody DeLong. Missing: Bonnie Posselli and Royden Card.

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