Remembering the Pioneers

Saturday was a significant day for my wife and I as we celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary. We've had a lot of fun together over the years, and we're still finding new ways to "pull together." In honor of our own pioneer ancestors we pulled a handcart in the Days of 47 Pioneer parade in Salt Lake City. Thousands of Mormon pioneers successfully used this method to walk across America in the 1800's but unfortunately some also lost their lives in the process. We only had to walk a few miles on pavement tugging a semi-empty cart loaded with Aquafina bottles, but the oppressive heat convinced us that those stalwart pioneers had to be a rugged lot. It is well to be reminded once in a while of just how good we have it. I don't know if we'll be in front of a handcart on our 40th anniversary next year, but I do know we'll still be pulling together--and enjoying it.

Plein Air Painting in Snow Canyon

The Visual Artists Association had their monthly meeting outdoors this week, as we gathered in Snow Canyon for a paint out. We picked a shady spot to dodge the late afternoon sun and spent a pleasant hour or so working on sketches and paintings.

I chose this little cliff for my painting and started with a quick 10 minute value study in my sketchbook. I then jumped right into my little painting using my Cotman watercolor travel kit to quickly capture the gesture and feeling of the late afternoon light on the red cliffs of Snow Canyon. I am using a 5 x 8 sheet of Arches watercolor paper mounted on "Incredible Art Board" from Dick Blick. The collapsible sable brush is from Daniel Smith.

About 15 fellow artists showed up for the paint out in Snow Canyon. Most of the artists were using watercolor although some used other mediums as well.


Our fearless leader Craig Fetzer shared some great art stories with us as we painted together.

First-time Art Show of Original Roland Lee Landscape Paintings at Zion National Park Museum June 2 - July 1

Roland Lee, Leslie Courtright (curator of the Zion Museum) and Technical assistant Justin Hall stand by Roland's newest painting, "Canyon Snowfall" at the Zion National Park Museum

Roland Lee art prints, cards, and books have been sold at Zion National Park for many years, but for the first time my original paintings are now available at Zion. Today we hung an exhibit called "Zion Canyonscapes" featuring mostly new original landscape paintings of Zion's canyons and peaks. The show is jointly sponsored by Zion National Park and the Zion Natural History Association. All paintings are for sale and a portion of the sales will benefit the Zion National Park Foundation to help finance conservation and interpretive projects within Zion National Park.

"Zion Canyonscapes" will remain on exhibit in the art gallery area of the Human History Museum (the old visitors center)through July 1, 2010. The show is free but regular park entrance fees apply. You can drive directly to the museum and park there, or take the free shuttle from the main visitors center. Museum Hours are 10am to 7pm daily.

The show features 12 new paintings of Zion National Park including "Angels Above, Heaven Below" a huge painting from Angel's landing Trail (center.)

Nellie Lee looks over the exhibit which includes a step by step demonstration and display of Roland's plein air painting kit and sketchbook

Salt Lake City Artist Group Comes to St. George Painting Workshop

Instead of traveling to Salt Lake City to present a watercolor workshop, I had a special group of artists come from Salt Lake to St. George this week. We enjoyed to two days together hashing through the principles of art and learning to see in nature. What as outstanding bunch of artists with really good questions! These wonderful artists get together once a week to paint and it shows in their work. Their eagerness to learn was only matched by their ability to pick up new concepts quickly. We spent most of the time in the studio at A Passion for Painting, but we slipped away for some close-up observation and sketching up in the Red Hills Desert Reserve. Artists included: Virginia Pearce, Heidi Vriens, Laurel Finlinson, Antje Evans, Christena Gates, Joan Reynolds, Dixie Stoddard, Jan Zwick, and Margo Cook.

New Visions Art Show Held at Santa Clara Town Hall

We enjoyed two days at the Santa Clara Town Hall for the third annual New Visions Art Show. All the artists were present for a terrific indoor show and sale, plus an outdoor "quick draw" event on Saturday. Each artist had all day to paint and at the conclusion a silent auction was held for the completed and framed pieces. The bidding was fast and furious as the show wound down to the final seconds.

Larry and Rebecca Isakson won the bid for my painting of a desert scene, as well as several other paintings.

You've heard of a "Quick Draw" -- Come see a "Slow Draw" on Saturday

Roland Lee art exibit at the 2009 New Visions Art Exhibit held at the Santa Clara Town Hall

Plan to stop by the "New Visions" art show at the Santa Clara Town Hall this Friday and Saturday May 14 - 15. I will be joining a number of other artists represented by Jane Juber's Mission Gallery and Authentique Gallery with new paintings and my new suite of LDS Historical giclee prints. The show runs Friday from 1 - 7pm and Saturday 10am - 4pm.

A highlight of the show will be a Saturday "Quick Draw" where all the artist will paint on the spot during the day followed by a silent auction of the framed paintings at 3:30pm. Since we're being given 5 hours to do the paintings, I'm calling it a "Slow Draw." It might be a great chance to pick up a nice original at a great price, and get to see it painted before your eyes!

A portion of all sales will benefit the Sant Clara mural project. The event is at the Santa Clara Town Hall, 2603 Santa Clara Drive, Santa Clara. Call Kathleen V. Nielson at 229-8310 or Jane Juber at 313-5008 for more information.
Roland Lee painting completed during the 2009 New Visions art show

Plein Air Workshop in Zion and Grafton Ghost Town

Mark Rose finds a shady spot with a great view

The Hurricane Valley Art Alliance invited me to teach a two-day watercolor painting workshop in Zion National Park and Grafton Ghost Town last week. Our group was small, which made us very mobile. We spent the first morning indoors where I used powerpoint to help us learn what to look for when we got outdoors. That afternoon was spent in the wonderful ghost town of Grafton which is near Rockville. The old school house has been in many movies including "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." While we were sketching tourists would look over our shoulders in amazement. The next day we travelled to Zion National Park where we enjoyed painting along the Virgin River near the Zion Lodge. It was a perfect day.

Brienne Brown sets up her easel overlooking the Grafton Ghost town with Mount Kinesava looming behing her.


Mark Rose, Barbara Withelder, and Carol Larson relax by the Virgin River.

More miles and more Desert Blossoms

My evening hikes are getting longer and longer and the view is getting better and better. Here are a couple of photos from the T-Bone Mesa trail above St. George.

A workshop with master watercolorist Osral Allred

There are jillions of artists who paint in watercolor, but there are only a handful who can really be called "watercolorists." Osral Allred, from Spring City Utah is one of them. The Southern Utah Watercolor Society brought him down for a two-day workshop this week and we enjoyed his wisdom, humor, and skill. Os is one of the first watercolorists who influenced me and I still think he is one of the best painters in the medium. His sense of design and use of white space are key elements in his work which often features old tractors and train cars. He was taught by another master, Gael Lindstrom, and in turn taught for many years in the art department of Snow College.

Desert Blossoms

I've been walking in the desert each evening before sundown, soaking in the peace and serenity of the land. The frequent rains have made the desert blossom. Every inch of sand is covered with tiny yellow flowers and the cactus blooms are starting their show. What a joy to live in this beautiful land!