Zion National Park Plein Air Event 3 minute Video

Youtube video for Zion National Park Plein Air Art Invitational. Features plein air artist Roland Lee and others describing their participation in the 2015 event. Click here to see 3 minute video

Roland Lee paints during 2016 Zion National Park Plein Air Art Invitational

Roland Lee Artist featured in Salt Lake Magazine

I was pleased to be featured in the regional magazine "Salt Lake" spotlighting my artwork and my eight year participation in the Zion National Park Plein Air Art Invitational. The article is entitled, "Art of Wonder - Roland Lee celebrates the National Parks Centennial by painting Zion National Park. Again." As one of the final events in the National Parks Centennial year, this is a a great time to honor those who helped establish the National Park system and made it the great treasure it is today. Early artists such as Thomas Moran and Maynard Dixon celebrated its beauty then, as artists today celebrate it still. pp. 51-52 Written by Lyman Hafen.

 

2016 Zion National Park Plein Air Art Invitational Better Than Ever

A group watches as I paint at the Zion Lodge on Saturday

Wow. What a great week painting in Zion! Wonderful weather, awesome fall colors, and a great group of art lovers to appreciate it all. This was the eighth year of the Zion National Park Plein Air Art Invitational. I have been fortunate to participate in all eight events and this was the best year yet. I enjoyed the many people who watched my demonstration painting and live painting at the Saturday quick draw. I hope it was fun for everyone. I met lots of wonderful artists as well as some great collectors who purchased five of my paintings. Thanks to the Park Service people as well as the staff of the Zion National Park Foundation who organized the event. Proceeds will benefit the "Youth Initiative" in bringing disadvantaged youth into the park, and taking rangers out to the schools.

Lots of photos of the finished demo painting

The lucky auction winners of my Wednesday demo "Towers at One O'clock". Mr. and Mrs. David Baldridge.

Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Child purchased my plein air painting "Angel in the Morning."

Roland Lee and Zion Plein Air Invitational featured in Etched magazine

Thanks to Lyman Hafen for the excellent article in Etched magazine. The Zion National Park Plein Air Art Invitational  is the first week in November 2016. Roland Lee will be presenting a painting demonstration in watercolor at the Zion Human History Museum on Wednesday November 9.

Two Zion Paintings Sold

Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Lemons who purchased two of my Zion National Park paintings from the Arts to Zion exhibit at Gallery 35.

Two Roland Lee watercolor paintings of Zion National Park were purchased at Gallery 35

"Best of Show Award" at UWS Show

I was thrilled to receive the "Best of Show" Award at the Fall juried exhibit of the Utah Watercolor Society. My painting "Cliffside Oasis" received the award along with a $500 prize. I was also honored to receive the "Juror's Choice" award for my painting "Misty Morning Zion" a watercolor painting of the Watchman cliff in Zion National Park. The juror was award-winning artist Iain Stewart.

Nellie and Roland Lee in front of his painting "Misty Morning Zion" which received "Jurors Choice" award

Juror Iain Stewart and Roland Lee stand by "Best of Show" painting "Cliffside Oasis."

Two Paintings juried in to Fall Utah Watercolor Society Exhibition

"Zion Misty Morning" 10 x 14 watercolor by Roland Lee

I was pleased to have two paintings juried in to the Fall n Utah Watercolor Society Exhibition. The exhibit will be on display October 7 through November 5, 2016 at the Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre Loge Gallery in Salt Lake City. Noted watercolorist and Juror Iain Stewart selected "Cliffside Oasis" and "Zion Misty Morning" for the exhibit.

"Cliffside Oasis" Watercolor Painting by Roland Lee
juried into the Fall 2016 Utah Watercolor Society Show

Bryan Mark Taylor Workshop at Mt. Carmel Utah

Bryan Mark Taylor (left) and Roland Lee plein air painting in Zion National Park

I participated in a great workshop last week with one of my favorite plein air artists, Brian Mark Taylor. The event was sponsored by Paul and Susan Bingham through the Thunderbird Foundation headquartered at the famous Maynard Dixon Property in Mt. Carmel Utah. We were able to hone our plein air skills in oil while painting in Zion National Park, Mount Carmel, and along the river in the Barracks. Thanks to Brian for coming down to share his expertise.

Bryan Mark Taylor in Zion National Park

Karen Lee Luz plein air painting in Zion with her Strada Easel

Plein air painting in Zion National Park

New Roland Lee Paintings for Zion National Park Show

Painting of Taylor Creek in the Kolob Canyon section of Zion National Park

Cedar Breaks National Monument at Point Supreme

I just sent two new studio paintings for display in Zion National Park as part of the 2016 Zion Plein Air event. The 24 artists selected have been asked to submit two paintings for a special exhibit which will remain on display through Thanksgiving. In this special "Centennial Edition" artists were asked to paint one of Zion and another national park or monument. My second painting is of Cedar Breaks  National Monument.

Cedar Breaks Plein Air and Wildflower Festival - "Arts Afire"

Roland Lee painting at Cedar Breaks National Monument. Photo by Jean Bjerke

Painting outdoors is always fun. But to spend an entire week painting en plein air in a National Monument is truly special. I was given that opportunity when invited to participate in "Arts Afire" at Cedar Breaks National Monument recently.  The glowing red and white cliffs that cascaded down into the amphitheater at Point Supreme and Chessman Point drew my attention immediately. But as the week progressed I found myself equally entranced by the gently rolling fields of colorful wildflowers surrounded by groves of Evergreens.
     Many people stopped to look over my shoulder as I worked along the rim, where tourists flocked to see the views. I cheerfully answered their questions and often agreed to pose with them for photos. The photo above was shot by professional Cedar City photographer Jean Bjerke, who caught my silhouette as the sun dropped behind the distant cliffs at Point Supreme. As the light faded and the brushes were put away,  I headed for my camper to await the dawn of another day.