Desert Waterfalls

It's been raining and snowing for the past few days and I've been anxious to get out into the desert to see the results. This morning I grabbed my sketchbook and camera and went hiking near Ivins in the red cliffs of Kayenta. I was treated to some amazing waterfalls cascading down the sheer cliffs and filling the usually dry washes. And just to add a little drama, the red rocks were dusted with white snow, also a rarity in these parts. It was cold when I left, but by mid-day the sun broke through the low clouds and provided me with a perfect day away. Ahhh, aint life grand?
Check out this little video of the falls. You only see this after a heavy rainstorm.

Winter is still with us

I don't know if its just old age, but I've never been so cold as I have in the past month. I'm ready for summer already, and Winter has barely sunk its teeth into the season. This is a photo I shot in central Utah last weekend. Cold, yes. Beautiful, you bet!

Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas card handpainted in watercolor by Roland Lee

Art Show in Highland UT

Thanks to everyone who attended the Benefit art show in Highland Friday night. It was great to see everyone and meet some new collectors. With our sales we were able to make a nice contribution to the selected charities. It looks like this might become an annual event.

Norma and Phil Maestri browse through some of the new giclee prints introduced at the show.

It's Tonight! See the New Lake Powell Paintings in Highland, UT

If you are in the Salt Lake City area stop by tonight and check out all my new Lake Powell Paintings. We're having a benefit show for the Little Heroes foundation and to help my family raise money for humanitarian service projects. A small donation will get you a box of my Christmas art cards, plus you'll get a chance to see the big originals too. I'll be donating 20% of all the painting sales plus 100% of the card sales to these worthy causes. The location is at the home of Jim and Barbara Lee in Highland UT. Click for full details and directions.

Getting Ready for My Show in Highland, UT to Benefit Little Heroes Foundation

Above: "Lake Powell Memories" will be for sale at the Highland Show.

On Friday Deember 11, I will be having a special show and sale of my new Lake Powell Paintings at the home of Jim and Barbara Lee in Highland, Utah. The show is a benefit fund-raiser for the "Little Heroes" Childrens Foundation and to raise funds for making humanitarian aid kits for disaster relief.

In addition to my new Lake Powell paintings I will have other paintings, framed prints, and Christmas Art cards available at the show. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of art cards will be donated to the cause. I hope all my friends in the Salt Lake City area can stop by and help us raise funds for these worthy causes.

Click here for more details on the show and sale.

Best of Show Award at Southern Utah Watercolor Society Fall Exhibit

We attended the opening of the Fall Watercolor Competition of the Southern Utah Watercolor Society tonight in Mesquite Nevada. A large group of artists from southern Utah traveled down to the opening which was held at the Mesquite Art Center, and hosted by some wonderful volunteers. I was fortunate to win Best of Show for my painting "Scotney Castle" which came with a nice cash prize. I was impressed by the body of work that was there and was proud of our artists for the quality of the presentation. Mesquite Mayor Susan Holecheck and several members of the City Council were in attendance and their support of the arts is evident in the nice arts facilities there.

Artist Jeff Ham Discusses His Colorful Paintings

Artist Jeff Ham spoke about his work tonight at the St. George Art Museum to a group of eager listeners. Jeffs acrylic on canvas paintings feature large-scale compositions characterized by strong shapes and powerful design. His unique style provides a great avenue for his thoughtful ideas about man and nature. He is in many southwest galleries and his work was featured recently in Western Art Collector magazine.

A Visit with Watercolorist Tony Couch

Tony Couch and I had a chance to visit for a few minutes after his watercolor demonstration in Hurricane Utah

The Hurricane Valley Art Alliance scheduled a week-long workshop with well-known watercolorist Tony Couch this week, and the Southern Utah Watercolor Society co-sponsored a demonstration last night. Tony is a prolific painter and completed a wonderful demonstration painting in a couple of hours. He has influenced literally thousands of aspiring artists over the years through his books and workshops. Congratulations to Warren and Carol Larson for their hard work in organizing the event.

Thanks to everyone who came to my art show tonight

Standing by my new painting "Stillness on the Water" a watercolor painting of Lake Powell.

We had a great time tonight at the opening reception for my art show "Roland Lee's Canyon country - New Views." Jane Juber had the gallery festooned in Holiday lights and decorated with beautiful fall leaves. We had a wonderful turnout of well-wishers and buyers, and as always, it was fun to just chat about the thing I love most -- art!


The Mission Gallery all decked out in Christmas decorations


Paula Bell purchased my painting, "Snow Canyon Vista."