We enjoyed a wonderful trip to Capitol Reef for Arts and the Park, co-sponsored by the Entrada Foundation and the Utah Watercolor Society. My oldest son Jim Lee and my youngest daughter, Jana Lee Cherry both attended, along with my wife, Nellie and I. We came away with a couple of ribbons and all three of us sold paintings, but the real fun was being with each other in one of our favorite places.
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| Jana Lee Cherry, Nellie Lee, Roland Lee and Jim Lee |
Each time I sell a painting I grow more appreciative of my collectors. Today I'm recognizing James Barrett, a young collector who is also an avid hiker in Zion National Park. He has purchased several of my Zion paintings in the past and just purchased "Observation Point Overlook," a very large and dynamic painting. He and his mom are both avid collectors, and I am so grateful for their support.
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| James Barrett and Roland Lee in front of James' new painting. |
Karen Bettilyon, a dear friend and artist, purchased two of my paintings today. one is of the old Bristlecone Pine at Cedar Breaks, and the other is a rustic barn and fence painted as a demonstration for the Plein Air Utah retreat in Midway Utah. I am excited for Karen to have the paintings as they are both among my favorites.
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| Karen Bettilyon with two paintings purchased from Roland Lee |
I was honored to be chosen to present a plein air painting workshop at the Escalante Canyons Plein Air Art Festival in September 2023. We had a group of wonderful artists attend the sold out workshop in Escalante, Utah. Class members included: Carole Lynd, Mary Kaufman, Mickey Hutchinson, Nancy Lewis, Suzanne Stevenson, Emma Knutson, Susan Hulet, Deborah Mechigian, Debi Crawford, Lisa Bryant, Sarah Clinger, Kathy McFadden.
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| Roland Lee class painting demonstration at Escalante Canyons Plein Air Festival |
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| Roland Lee plein air painting at Escalante Canyons Plein Air Festival |
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| Some of my class members painting a wonderful barn in Escalante |
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| Plein air painting at the Escalante River Trail Head |
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| The Bailey Cabin we stayed in at Escalante, Utah. A beautifully restored 1890's cabin was perfect for painting at Escalante Canyons Art Festival, Everett Reuss Days. |
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| Roland Lee at Escalante Canyons Art Festival |
The Plein Air Painters of Utah and the Midway Art Association teamed up to present Plein Air Utah. This was our fourth year and included 22 members of our group acting as instructors for the 45 artists who attended this fun event. I gave a painting demonstration and assisted the artists as they painted. A special treat was having my daughter Jana attend this year, and she created some fun paintings.
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| Teachers at Plein Air Painters of Utah Midway event |
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| Roland Lee teacher at Plein Air Utah in Midway, Utah |
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| Roland Lee plein air painting at Plein Air Utah event |
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| Jana Lee Cherry plein air painting at Bessendorfer Farm |
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| Roland Lee and daughter Jana at Heber Creeper Train Station |
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| Plein air painting at Midway |
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| Roland Lee demonstration painting at Midway Plein Air |
I was pleased to see my painting "Canyon Flow" on the cover of St. George Magazine. The painting features a scene at Hell Hole near Kayenta Utah where a long thin waterfall streaks down the canyon cliffs during rain storms creating this scene at the bottom.
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| Roland Lee watercolor painting on the magazine cover |
I enjoyed a wonderful Master Class with several awesome painters. What a joy to have them also leave with a few of my paintings as well.
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| Meg Mitragotri with Roland Lee |
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| Roland Lee with the Mitragotri family |
My painting, "Patiently Waiting" was featured on page 87 of the September issue of Plein Air Magazine along with the other winners in the May 2023 Plein Air Salon.
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| Plein Air Magazine Sept 2023 Plein Air Salon Winners |
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| Roland Lee painting at Maynard Dixon property Art Show |
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| Roland Lee painting at Maynard Dixon property Art Show |
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| Roland Lee painting at Maynard Dixon property Art Show |
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| Roland Lee painting at Maynard Dixon property Art Show |
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| Roland Lee painting wins Best Western in Plein Air Salon May 2023 |
My painting "Patiently Waiting" was named the winner in the "Western" category of the May 2023 Plein Air Salon. My painting "Alone Again" was awarded Honorable Mention in the same competition. I was thrilled that four of my paintings out of 697 entries were named to the Top 100. The juror was Joe Anna Arnett. Thank you Kari Stober and Plein Air Magazine. Click here for news release from PleinAir magazine.
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| "Paitently Waiting" by Roland Lee announced Winner in Western Category May 2023 Plein Air Salon |
