Watercolor Painting with my Sons

I had fun running my two sons, Jim and Jon, through a three-day "Watercolor Boot Camp" this week. Both are already accomplished artists but wanted some one-on-one studio time with their old dad. We were all exhausted when it was over but it was so fun. Nothing I love better than sharing art with my kids and grandkids.

Jim on the left and Jon on the right. 

Jim with two of his watercolor landscapes

Roland critiques Jim's painting

Favorite Oil Painting

Janae chooses her favorite Roland Lee oil painting

A talented art student named Janae stopped by my art gallery for a visit and I asked her to choose a favorite painting. She chose "Virgin River Glow." I'm sure she will be a successful artist in the future.

Travels Down Under

My wife Nellie and I joined a group of friends for a few weeks in the land "down under." Starting in Sydney Australia, we toured the outback and seaside for a few days before boarding a cruise ship for New Zealand. Stopping at various ports we were able to explore lots of places on shore. I carried a sketchbook and recorded my thoughts as we went. The result is a show of about 12 new paintings completed since we returned last month. They will remain on display in my gallery until Christmas.

Sydney Opera House and harbor

Otago Bay Lighthouse near Dunedin New Zealand

Larnach Castle Gardens, Dunedin NZ

Larnach Castle Sea View New Zealand

Milford Sound Waterfalls New Zealand

Milford Zornes Watercolor Retreat

Roland Lee sitting in Maynard Dixon's chair in Milford Zornes Studio. Photo by Susan Bingham

What a blast we had as a group of watercolor artists gathered for the first annual Milford Zornes Painting Retreat October 11-15, 2017. Held at the studio in Mt. Carmel Utah owned by both Maynard Dixon and Milford Zornes, we enjoyed sharing ideas, relaxing, learning, and painting outdoors. The event was organized by artists Carolyn Lord and Spike Ress, and sponsored by Paul and Susan Bingham of the Thunderbird Foundation. Among the artists attending from all over the United States were: Carolyn Lord, Spike Ress, Frank Huff, Glen Knowles, Roland Lee, Terri Wells, Meredith Nemirov, Jamie Morgan, David Lee, James Asher, Joe Anna Arnett, and Sid Bingham.

Meredith Nemirov and her cousin Sharon Painting on the grounds of the Milford Zornes and Maynard Dixon property in Mt. Carmel Utah

Spike Ress, James Asher, Sue Cotter, Joe Anna Arnett, and Roland Lee

Roland Lee painting a watercolor of the Milford Zornes and Maynard Dixon Studio

Frank Huff and Roland Lee with paintings done at Milford Zornes Retreat

Roland Lee, Frank Huff, Carolyn Lord with paintings at Milford Zornes Retreat

Roland Lee's mobile studio, 1988 Toyota Hi Lux pickup with 1992 Six Pac Camper

Roland Lee and Meredith Nemirov

New Paintings for "The Way We Worked" Exhibit

These two paintings are part of the Dixie Watercolor Component of the Smithsonian's "Way We Worked" traveling exhibit. Gallery 35 on Main Street in St. George Oct 9-21.

"Helping" 10 x 14 watercolor by Roland Lee

"Retired" 10 x 14 watercolor by Roland Lee

High School Artists Shine with Watercolor

Roland Lee with art students at Valley High School. My demo painting is in the foreground

It was a pretty ambitious effort, but they all did pretty good. It was the first experience with watercolor painting for the art students at Valley High School. I was invited by Connie Goulding to spend a few hours working with her art classes. With assistance from my artist son Jon Lee, we worked through a little painting of pine trees and water. They were pretty pumped with their finished pieces and I think we are off to a good start.

Painting with Josh Clare at Plein Air Utah

Roland Lee plein air painting Probst Ranch Midway UT. Photo Alan Fuchs

I enjoyed painting with so many great artists at Plein Air Utah in Midway. Co-sponsored by Plein Air Painters of Utah, of which I am a member, and the Midway Arts Association the event was attended by close to 100 artists.

Roland Lee Painting at Plein Air Utah event in Midway. Photo Alan Fuchs

Artist Josh Clare with Roland Lee at Plein Air Utah event

Watching artist Josh Clare demonstrate his oil painting skills at the "Plein Air Utah" event was a singular experience for me. I have followed his landscape paintings for a long time but when I saw him paint a warm snow scene for his demonstration painting before the whole group I was stunned. His process seemed almost effortless as he went to work. I knew I had to leave with that painting. So, as is often the case, the art collector in me took over as Josh and I worked out a price, and purchased a frame from vendor Cory Willis. I also picked up four small Josh Clare sky demos that are little gems.

Josh Clare holds four demo paintings of cloudscapes

A New Home for "Far View - Capitol Reef"

Watercolor painting "Far View at Capitol Reef" by Roland Lee

I was thrilled when one of my favorite landscape artists Bruce Everett purchased my watercolor painting "Far View Capitol Reef" recently. His stunning landscapes are an inspiration to me. Thanks to Paul and Susan Bingham for introducing Bruce to my work at their beautiful Bingham Gallery in Mt. Carmel, UT.

New Painting of East Zion

"Sands of Time - East Zion"  - 15 x 21 Watercolor painting by Roland Lee

I have been working on a series of new Zion paintings which will be part of my new book being published next year tentatively called Discovering Zion - Landscape, Geology and History. It will feature my landscape paintings of Zion with commentary by Dr. Robert Eves and historian Lyman Hafen.

Bryce Paintings On Exhibit in Group Show

Group show of paintings created during my summer workshops in Zion and Bryce Canyons. An opening reception will be held from 6 to 8pm September 15 at the Syracuse Community Center, 1912 West 1900 South, Syracuse, UT.