A Pair of Tiny Paintings for Christmas

Christmas is here again and my studio is filled with the wonderful sounds of Christmas music. I decided to do a couple of small watercolor paintings of my favorite place in winter--the pioneer town of Pine Valley, Utah. After a fresh snowfall, there is nothing prettier. Click to view them on my website.

"Winter Snow 1" 4" x 6" watercolor by Roland Lee

"Winter Snow 2" 4" x 6" watercolor by Roland Lee

Happy Collectors Purchase Two Paintings at LaFave Gallery

I was excited to learn that two more of my paintings disappeared off the wall at LaFave Gallery in Springdale Utah this week. No, they were not stolen. Happy collectors purchased them during the "Colors of Fall" show which continues through November. Stop by if you are in the Zion National Park area.

"Canyon Colors" watercolor of Kolob Canyons 12  14

"Eagle Crags" watercolor of cliffs near Zion National Park 6 x 9

Award at Utah Watercolor Society Fall Show

"Red Glow in Snow Canyon," 10 x 14 watercolor by Roland Lee
received Merchant Award at the Fall 2015 UWS exhibit

I was pleased to receive a "Merchant Award" at the fall showing of the Utah Watercolor Society. The award was given to my 10 x 14 watercolor painting, "Red Glow in Snow Canyon." The show is currently on display at the Visual Art Institute in Salt Lake City, and will continue through November 6, 2015.

Final Week of Solo Show at Gallery 2901

This is the final week for my solo watercolor show at Gallery 2901 in Salt Lake City. Stop by if you get a chance. Thanks to the new collectors who have purchase paintings from the show. Special thanks to Bruce Robertson of the Visual Art Institute for hosting the exhibit.

Aging Gracefully 10 x 14

West Temple Sunrise 21 x 21

Isle of Capri 6 x 9

Zion Run-off 21 x 21

Guest Artist at Valley High School

Art students at Valley High School in Orderville, working in their new sketchbooks

Last week I was invited to be a guest instructor at my grandson, Travis Lee's Valley High School in Orderville Utah. Art teacher Connie Goulding asked me to visit two of her art classes and teach them how to use their new sketchbooks. I had a great time and found out this is a very good group of artists. Their projects were outstanding, and they all willingly participated in the exercises I gave them to help them learn to see with their artists brain. I have no doubt we will see some great sketchbook drawings in the coming weeks.

Roland Lee teaching art class at Valley High School

Art students working on drawing exercise learning to see values

Drawing is serious business!

Some of Valley High's best art students at work

A group of serious art students

Roland Lee teaching drawing skills at Valley High School

Guest artists Roland Lee demonstrating drawing techniques in Connie Goulding's art class at Valley High School.

New Watercolors for Zion National Park Show

Where Clifffs Meet Clouds

I am getting ready to send a couple of Zion studio paintings up to Zion National Park. They will be on display at the Human History Museum between now and November 8, 2015 as a prelude to the Zion National Park Plein Air Art Event November 2 through 9 at the Park. I will be presenting a free plein air demonstration on Wednesday November 4 at 2pm. Other artists will present demos every day of the show. A "wet-paint" show and sale will open Saturday November 7.

Off the Wall at LaFave Gallery

Roland Lee's little original 6 x 9 watercolor "Canyon Cottonwoods" was sold to a delighted collector by the LaFave Gallery in Springdale, Utah.

"Canyon Cottonwoods" 6 x 9 watercolor

Upcoming Fall Art Shows

Roland Lee will exhibit 10 new oil paintings at the Kayenta outdoor Art Festival. 

Sept 7 through October 2, 2015 - One Man Show at the Visual Art Institute in Salt Lake City. Reception Sept 11 6 to 9pm. 25 original watercolors will be on display.

Sept 14 through November 9, 2015 - Zion Human History Museum, Zion National Park. Each of the 24 invited artists will exhibit two paintings of Zion.

October 9-10, 2015 - Kayenta Outdoor Art Festival, Ivins Utah. Roland Lee will display his new oil paintings and will participate in a one-hour quick draw event.

November 2 through 9, 2015 - Zion National Park Plein Air Art Event. 24 invited artists will paint on location in Zion during the week and have a wet-paint sale and auction at the Human History Museum. Artist demonstrations and seminars daily.

November 19-20 - Arts to Zion, Art Hub. The Roland Lee Gallery will participate in a gallery tour both days. 10am to 3pm each day.

New Oil Paintings Coming...

I decided to spend the month of July working on some landscape paintings in oil. I was inspired by a recent plein air workshop with Brad Holt. Some of the paintings turned out pretty good, so this fall you might see a few on exhibit at the art shows and at my galleries. Here's a sneak peek at some oils in progress in the studio.

My studio and a few new oil landscapes

New Paintings of Zion National Park at Lafave Gallery

I've been working on a few new paintings of Zion National Park to replace the ones I've sold this month at Lafave Gallery in Springdale. If you get a chance this summer, stop by and see Kathy Lafave at the gallery. Her beautiful gallery is located at the entrance to Zion National Park.

"Canyon Colors" 12  x 20 watercolor painting of Kolob Fingers area of Zion Park

"Cliffs of Kolob" 10 x 14 watercolor of Zion National Park

"Flash of Gold" 7 x 9 watercolor of Zion National Park