Connie Madsen and Maddie Morrill Art Show

I am so proud of my long-time student Connie Madsen who presented her first-ever watercolor show this past week. I was able to attend her show which was presented at her lovely home in Holladay Utah. She was joined by her talented granddaughter Maddie Morrill, a recent college art graduate who showed her intricate and detailed watercolor and acrylic paintings. Her sketchbook is a work of art i itself. Needless to say, my wife Nellie and I left with three of Connie's and three of Maddie's originals to add to our own collection.

Three watercolors by Connie Madsen added to my collection

Showing off the amazing sketchbook of artist Maddie Morrill

Plein Air Painters of Utah at Vermillion Cliffs and Marble Canyon Arizona

Roland Lee works on plein air painting at Vermillion Cliffs. Photo by Tom Howard

Getting a plein air painting started at Vermillion Cliffs

Finished plein air painting at Vermillion Cliffs

Painting by my trusty Six Pac camper

We had a fun week with the Plein Air Painters of Utah (PAPU) as we travelled to Vermillion Cliffs National Recreation area in Arizona. Russell Case showed us a few of his favorite painting spots including a tremendous view overlooking Marble Canyon.

I camped at Lee's Ferry for three nights in my Six Pac camper. this is my art assault vehicle.

These strange Toadstools or Hoodoos look like they will topple over any minute on my Six Pac camper

Finished plein air Painting 6 x 9 at Vermillion Cliffs AZ

I enjoyed painting and filling my sketchbook with on location drawings

Join me at Plein Air Utah September 12-15

The Plein Air Artists of Utah have teamed up with the Midway Arts Association to present the second Plein Air Utah event September 12-15, 2018. Part rendezvous, part workshop, and plenty of fun, the event had 100 attendees last year. This years event is nearly sold out already so register now if you get a chance. the cost is $350 for all events.

The Midway Town Hall is the site of daily seminars and the art show at Plein Air Utah

Roland Lee painting at Plein Air Utah event in Midway UT

Roland Lee painting at Plein Air Utah 

April Watercolor Master Class

Front: Margo Cook, Jan Hansen, Shari Cannon, Susie Bytheway
Back: Mark Rose, Roland Lee

Wow! Another great Master Class with some special painters. Each worked on their own paintings while I coached them along. All the finished pieces are well-done and framable. I work with four or five experienced artists for two days each month in my studio and love it. Congratulations to all!

Utah Watercolor Society Spring Open Exhibit

I'm grateful to have two paintings juried into the 2018 Spring Open Exhibition of the Utah Watercolor Society. The exhibit will be at the Visual Arts Institute in Salt Lake City May 11 through June 16, 2018.

"Zion Narrows" 10 x 14 Watercolor

"Coal Creek" 18 x 24 Watercolor

Invited to present at Maynard Dixon Campout and Symposium in August

Watercolorists Roland Lee and Jim Asher on the Maynard Dixon Property 

I have been invited to attend the Maynard Dixon Campout August 22-25 as a featured presenter and demonstrator. This will be an excellent opportunity to attend several seminars and demonstrations by some top western artists.

The following artists will be symposium participants and/or give painting demonstrations:

John Taft

Lorenzo Chavez

Robert Goldman

Spike Ress

Brett Allen Johnson

Colleen Howe

David Lee

Denise Mahlke

Mark Fehlman

Ray Roberts

Peggi Kroll-Roberts

Joshua Baird

Roland Lee

Happy Collectors Leave with Paintings

Jill Romney with Roland Lee and painting "Heaps Canyon"

Leslie Layton and Roland Lee with painting "Chessman Columbines"

Two wonderful collectors added new watercolor paintings to their collections today after stopping by my St. George studio. Jill Romney purchased "Heaps Canyon" while Leslie Layton bought "Zion Narrows." Leslie also bought my Utah Watercolor Society best of show award-winning painting "Chessman Columbines." Recently she also purchased my Dixie Watercolor Society Best of Show painting, "East Zion Aria."

Peoples Choice Award at Dixie Watercolor Society exhibit

I was notified that my painting "Coal Creek received the Peoples Choice Award at the Spring exhibit of the DWS. It was a tie with my friend Eddi Malloy. Thanks everybody. The show was on display at Gallery 35.

"Coal Creek" watercolor painting 14 x 21 by Roland Lee

1988 toyota 4WD Pickup and Six Pac Camper has new wheels

Old Blue, my trusty 1988 4WD Toyota Pickup with 1992 Six Pac Camper now has new wheels!

Good news. My trusty 1988 Toyota Pickup and Six Pac Camper "Art Assault Vehicle" now has new wheels and tires. The old rusted wheels had that special "look" but after a year I found four original equipment wheels to bring the old boy back to its original showroom sparkle. New OEM Toyota mud flaps completed the ensemble. Now I just need to raise the funds to get a new paint job. In the meantime, if you see me out painting plein air with "Old Blue" be sure to honk.

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.