Another great master class helped round out a beautiful month in Utah. We have had so much rain and snow that we thought spring would never come. But, gratefully, it arrived in time for our class. Connie Madsen and her granddaughter Heather came, along with Margo Cook and Shari Cannon. We took advantage of our new neighbor the "Selfie Studio" to take a group shot.
.jpg) |
| Roland Lee master class April 2023 |
I am always so grateful to my collectors who continually support me and my work. Imogene Dewey had seen my work on the internet and followed my painting videos for years. At age 92 she came all the way from Lake Charles Louisiana with her son to visit me in my Utah studio. What a pleasant visit we had, and she just had to take home a little painting with her.
 |
| Imogene Dewey, age 92 visits my studio |
I attended the Utah Tech art department senior art show April 14 and enjoyed seeing a variety of excellent art pieces. A shoulder-shoulder crowd made studying the works difficult, but it was great to see such a good turnout at the event. I helped mentor one of the graduates, April Frost, who presented a beautiful ensemble of four watercolor landscape paintings. i purchased one of them, and two others sold before the night was over, creating a buzz of excitement in the room. Congratulations to McGarren Flack, Del Parson, and Dennis Martinez who instructed these students.
 |
| Art student April Frost and Roland Lee stand in front of the painting he purchased from her. |
I am grateful to Joe McMullin who visited my art gallery today and left with two paintings. He selected an acrylic painting and a watercolor, "Desert Juniper" and "Creekside" for the personal collection of he and his wife Julie. I am ever grateful to wonderful collectors like Joe and Julie.
 |
| Desert Juniper and Creekside paintings sold by Roland Lee |
A hefty new book has just been released by Gibbs Smith called "The Dictionary of Utah Fine Artists." It is a huge compilation of literally thousands of fine artists living in, or associated with the state of Utah. There has been nothing this comprehensive published in the past. I enjoyed going through every page and reviewing the many talented fine artists including the deceased masters as well as talented up-and-coming new fine artists. Of course I am happy to be included in such a book. It was compiled by Vern G. Swanson, Donna L. Poulton, Angela Swanson Jones, and Micah J. Christensen with sponsorship from Clayton R. Williams and the Springville Museum of Art.
 |
| Doctoionary of Utah Fine Artists includes artist Roland Lee |
I have visited the Maynard Dixon property in Mt. Carmel many times and conducted a plein air workshop there. Feeling the vibes from staying in the Maynard Dixon home and conducting my classes in the Edith Hamlin studio was a great experience. Paintings of the Dixon property will be part of the Highway 89 traveling show sponsored by the Plein Air Painters of Utah.
 |
| Roland Lee painting of Maynard Dixon Home |
 |
| Roland Lee sitting in Maynard Dixon's favorite chair |
 |
| Roland Lee Plein air painting at Maynard Dixon property in Mt. Carmel UT |
 |
| Art on the Highway - Plein Air Painters of Utah |
Roland Lee will participate in the special "Highway 89" show which will begin a tour in May 2023 of Utah's important museums from the top of the state to the bottom. Roland Lee's painting of Maynard Dixon Studio will be a part of the exhibit. The studio was mainly used by Dixon's wife Edith Hamlin and is still in use today as part of the Maynard Dixon Legacy Museum run by Susan Bingham and the Thunderbird Foundation. The Highway 89 Show is organized by the Plein Air Artists of Utah group.
 |
| Studio at Maynard Dixon Home at Mt Carmel, Utah by Roland Lee |
I had a fun time with a group of young artists who visited my studio recently. All were students of Sean Rowley's watercolor class at Utah Tech University. The class was divided into two groups of eight, and I discovered that all were very eager to learn and also very talented artists. I surprised them by inviting them to pick up a brush and help me on my current painting.
 |
| April Frost paints on my current watercolor painting |
 |
| Sean Rowley's college watercolor students visit the Roland Lee Studio |
It's been a few years since I last taught at watercolor workshop to a large group. So I was due to help out the Watercolor Society. We had 21 students and I presented three demonstrations and some PowerPoint instruction as we worked together on some paintings. The class was super, and I was very pleased with the work.
 |
| Workshop organizer Bill Sherwin assists with critique |
.jpg) |
| A choice group of artists and friends |
Roland Lee will be teaching a workshop at the Escalante Canyons Plein Air Festival September 21-22, 2023. The cost is $200. I will be demonstrating in watercolors but all mediums are welcome. Register Here
 |
| Roland Lee plein air painting in Zion |
