Modena Crossing Watercolor by Roland Lee

"Modena Crossing" 10 x 14 Watercolor by Roland Lee

The trains still run through, but this once-bustling southern Utah railroad town is now a ghost town.

Master class artists for April

Jon Lee shows off his painting of desert cliffs

Artist left to right: Margo Cook, Bessann Swanson, Jon Lee, Roland Lee, Connie Madsen

Lester Lee Workshop in St. George

We're enjoying a few days with artist Lester Lee in St. George at the Arrowhead Gallery classroom. In case you are wondering, yes we are distant cousins, although we didn't know that for a long time. He is accomplished in all mediums and has a wealth of knowledge as a teacher, so its been a blast. He's trying to help us loosen up with our watercolors, and I'm eager to try it. I lusted after one of his big watercolor paintings at the recent Sears Invitational but it got away from me. I mentioned that to him, and he said, "well I have the small study I did for it with me, would you like to have it?" Oh yeh, so I'm a happy boy now.

Here's the full sheet Lester Lee watercolor painting that sold at the Sears Invitational

This is Lester Lee's 8 x 10 watercolor study which I now own.

Two paintings accepted into Utah Watercolor Society Spring Competition

I had two paintings juried into the spring exhibition of the Utah Watercolor Society. Thanks to juror Betsy Dillard Stroud for choosing my watercolor paintings "Railroad Summit" and "Still Workin'" for exhibition.

"Railroad Summit" watercolor by Roland Lee

"Still Workin" watercolor by Roland Lee

Thanks to Jennie Hendricks who purchased my painting "Big Skies and Deserts" at the Southern Utah Museum of Art auction. Each invited artists donated an original painting with proceeds to benefit the museum of art.

Big Skies and Deserts a watercolor painting by Roland Lee purchased at the SUMA Southern Utah Museum of Art auction

Utah Watercolor Society Workshop

I enjoyed painting with some really great artists last Friday and Saturday in Salt Lake City. The Utah Watercolor Society had me teach a painting workshop for 22 of their members. Although it was a large group we got along fine and I was able to teach some solid concepts to a very capable group. Their paintings were amazing. They also presented me with a nice birthday cake. Thanks everyone!

Roland Lee and Vaughn Emett discuss some painting techniques

jon Lee watches as Dorleen works on a painting

Jon Lee was my assistant at the workshop

An awesome video setup

I was still able to get around to give personal help to each of the students

The Sons of Pioneers building in Salt Lake City is the home for Utah Watercolor Society workshops

Learning from each other

Concentration!

March Master Class

Randy Peterson, Roland Lee, Mark Gamet, Audrey Heaton in Roland Lee Studio

The March Master class included three first-time attendees including Randy Peterson, Audrey Heaton and Mark Gamet. Veteran Jon Lee also attended. All are experienced watercolorists and did great working on their own projects.

Jon Lee finished several paintings started earlier and did two new ones

Dixie Watercolor Society Spring 2019 Show

Congratulations to my good artist friends who participated in the Dixie Watercolor Society Spring Show. Last night at the reception and awards ceremony Karen Bettilyon won Best of Show while Sean Rowley picked up First Place. I have enjoyed painting with both of them for many years. They are quality painters. The show remains on display at Gallery 35 in St. George, UT through Feb 23. Click here for all awards. See more awards below:

Sean Rowley won First Place in the DWS Spring 2019 Show

Best of Show:

Karen Bettilyon for “Fence Line”

Signature:

First Place:  Sean Rowley for “Morning Light on Morro Bay”

Second Place:  Myron Laub for “Morning Fog – Big Sur”

Third Place:  Bill Sherwin for “Chief Weasel Tail”

Honorable Mention:

Eddie Malloy for “Bouquet”

Jan Bown for “Visiting Redwall Cavern – Grand Canyon”

Shari Cannon for “Jazz Drummer”

Glenda Caskey for “Pathway to the Beach”

Associate:

First Place:  Carole Foster for “Mistral and Indigo”

Second Place:  Ray Pittman for “Kestrel”

Third Place:  Maureen Booth for “My Dream House:

Honorable Mention:

Jan Hansen for “Musical Akashic Record”

Daphne Schroth for “Kayenta Quail”

Mike Tabor for “Wise One”

Deb Carter for “Kristen Lost in Thought”

Jean Mooney for “Cool Sun at Bear Creek”

Maureen Booth has been Vice President for four years.  She is the work behind the DWS Shows and has done eight of them!  We are indebted to Maureen for her special touches, organization, willingness to put notice of our shows out to the public, and her efforts to ensure the Shows are a success.  She has been a valued Board Member and great friend.  Thank you, Maureen!

Karen Bettilyon

DWS Membership and Communication 

Goodbye to James Asher

I was saddened to learn fellow watercolorist James Asher passed away last week after battling cancer. He was a huge influence on me in my beginning days of watercolor painting. I remember seeing his work in an art magazine back in 1979, and studying it for a long time. His detailed style was very unusual and gave me renewed hope for the medium. It was good to see he and his sweet wife Joe Anna Arnett last year at the Milford Zornes Retreat. I enjoyed listening while they swapped stories of the early days. Rest in peace Jim!

l to r: Spike Ress,  James Asher, Sue Cotter, Joe Anna Arnett, Roland Lee

James Asher at the Milford Zornes Retreat

Roland Lee and James Asher at the Maynard Dixon Property in Mt. Carmel Utah

History of Southern Utah Presentation

I was invited to speak this evening at Dixie State University by the Institute for Continued Learning. My topic was "A Brush with History - Southern Utah's History in Art." I prepared a keynote presentation using my historic sketches and paintings through the years. We had a packed house of about 100 in the audience. My artist friend Mary Manning shot this photo of historian and former University president Doug Alder chatting after the presentation.

Former DSU President and historian Douglas Alder and Roland Lee 

Roland Lee giving presentation to ICL group at Dixie State University