Painting Generates $2900 at Southern Utah Museum of Art Auction

Zion Narrows Watercolor 14 x 10

After spirited bidding, this painting generated $2900 for the Southern Utah Museum of Art tonight during the annual auction at Rusty's Steak House. Thanks to Michelle Jorgenson and ERA Realty for being the winning bidders. I'm so glad to be able to make a contribution to SUMA. What a wonderful addition to the cultural arts in southern Utah. Hats off to the SUMA board and director Jessica Farling for their leadership.

Atkins Purchase Painting at Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show

Ralph and Cheri Atkin with Roland Lee at the 2018 Sears Invitational Art Show

Thanks to Ralph and Cheri Atkin who purchased my watercolor Painting called "Ripples of Gold' at the 31st annual exhibit of the Robert N. and Peggy Sears Invitational Art Show and Sale. The show is held each year in the Sears Museum Gallery on the Dixie State University Campus. 40% of the sales goes towards student scholarships, so it is a great cause. Robert and Peggy Sears spent years helping raise funds for the new art museum on the campus. Their legacy certainly lives on.

Best of Show Dixie Watercolor Society

Nellie and Roland Lee at the Dixie Watercolor Society Exhibit

I was thrilled to win Best of Show at the Spring 2018 Exhibit of the Dixie Watercolor Society. Thanks to Maureen Booth and the other board members who organized the exhibit.
My watercolor painting "East Zion Aria" was the winning painting. Here are the other winners. Thanks to everyone for your hard work.

AWARD WINNERS INCLUDED:

Best of Show:
Roland Lee

Signature Artists:
1st Place: Karen March
2nd Place: Bill Sherwin
3rd Place: Karen Bettilyon

Honorable Mention:
Sean Rowley
Jan Bown
Mary Jane Grow
Michelle Manriquez
Shari Cannon
Eddi Malloy

Associate Artists:
1st Place: Julie Strong
2nd Place: Carole Foster
3rd Place: Ray Pittman

Honorable Mention:
Jan Hansen
Maureen Booth
Bev Mangum

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31st Annual Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show

Sears Art Museum

I will be participating in the 31st annual Robert N. and Peggy Sears Invitational Art Show to be held Feb 16 – April 1, 2018. I will exhibit two paintings: “Ripples of Gold” and “Sands of Time” in the show. Held in the Sears Art Museum Gallery the show will feature over 100 artists. The show begins with a symposium at 3pm February 16 in the Eccles Concert Hall followed by a preview of the exhibit at the DSU Sears Art Museum Gallery . This will follow with a banquet, concluded by the official opening of the show and sale. Patrons may pull “intent to purchase cards” on the displayed pieces.

Ripples of Gold - Roland Lee Watercolor

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.