Roland Lee interviewed for film "Sanctuary, Story of Zion"

Poster for "Sanctuary, The Story of Zion"

A nice interview with Roland Lee appears in the new stage production of "Zion, the Story of Zion National Park" being presented this summer at the OC Tanner Amphitheater at Zion. The show, written by talented musician and storyteller Sam Payne combines live music, storytelling, and video projection to trace Zion's history and relationship to its people over the centuries.  Producer Steve Lemmon and musical director Ryan Tilby teamed up with Payne and Nic Chamberlain to produce this wonderful show. Read a review here from the Desert Pulse.

Photo of OC Tanner Amphitheater production "Sanctuary, the story of Zion" presented the summer of 2016. Photo by Christina Gregg

Roland Lee interviewed for film "Sanctuary, Story of Zion"

Poster for "Sanctuary, The Story of Zion"

A nice interview with Roland Lee appears in the new stage production of "Zion, the Story of Zion National Park" being presented this summer at the OC Tanner Amphitheater at Zion. The show, written by talented musician and storyteller Sam Payne combines live music, storytelling, and video projection to trace Zion's history and relationship to its people over the centuries.  Producer Steve Lemmon and musical director Ryan Tilby teamed up with Payne and Nic Chamberlain to produce this wonderful show. Read a review here from the Desert Pulse.

Photo of OC Tanner Amphitheater production "Sanctuary, the story of Zion" presented the summer of 2016. Photo by Christina Gregg

Cedar Breaks Plein Air event "Arts Afire."

Artists Royden Card (left) and Roland Lee painting on the rim at Point Supreme in Cedar Breaks National Monument.

     What fun spending a week at 10,000 ft. elevation Painting Cedar Breaks National Monument. I was invited to join ten other nationally known artists to paint en plein air as part of the second annual "Arts Afire" event. We painted the spectacular red canyon as well as the unbelievable wildflowers and Fir trees that are so recognizable there.
     At the end of the week I presented a live painting demonstration at the Brian Head Giant Steps lodge while they held a silent auction of paintings. Culminating the week was a reception and kickoff of a two-month show featuring the paintings completed during the event. This was held at the spectacular new Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA) on the campus of Southern Utah University. I was happy to meet lots of new art collectors and sell six of my ten paintings on opening night.

Many park visitors stopped to watch us paint

Painting plein air at Point Supreme in Cedar Breaks

One of the oldest Bristlecone Pines in the world at Cedar Breaks

Painting with my Sienna Pochade box in a lovely forest spot at Cedar Breaks

I had to return to this spot three evenings in a row to capture this sunset scene plein air

"The Hand" one of the features easily viewed from the Cedar Breaks Visitors Center

Roland Lee 3-min Video Painting Bryce Canyon

In honor of the National Parks System Centennial celebration this year, I would like to share a few thoughts about the Parks, and what they mean to me. This is a new painting that is on exhibit at the St. George Art Museum called "Navajo Loop Trail - Bryce Canyon." Watch the short 3-minute video.

Roland Lee plein air painting in Bryce Canyon National Park

Sketching in the Mountains of Colorado

While staying with my daughter Jana and her family, I was able to get in some fun outdoor sketching. Their beautiful mountain home is surrounded by Evergreens of all kinds and big granite boulders. I love this place.

Plein air sketching in Conifer, near Evergreen, Colorado

Roland Lee Plein Air Painting in Snow Canyon State Park

A group of wonderful artists looked on as I painted a little plein air watercolor painting of the red cliffs in Snow Canyon State Park recently. After the demonstration, we went on a little nature hike where I showed them the unique features of the canyon. Then they embarked on their own paintings.

Watching Roland Lee painting demonstration using a Sienna All-in-one box

Connie Madsen gets tips from Roland Lee

Finding "Moki Marbles" on the petrified sand dunes

Pretending we are Mountain Goats on Galoot Hill

Roland and Kathy McFadden discuss her painting

Cheryl Sasche had a nice outdoor setup for plein air painting

Jenee Wunderlich came all the way from Hawaii for the workshop

Sue Roach from Las Vegas Nevada

Mark Rose from American Falls Idaho

Mona Woolsey is an experienced painter

St. George Art Festival Brings New Collectors

BobbieLee Kosuge and her new painting

Thanks to the hundreds of people who showed up at the St. George Art Festival recently. The weather was grand and it was a great day for sales as well. The St. George Art Museum purchased some of my paintings and new collectors added a few more to their collections as well.

Utah Watercolor Society Spring Open Exhibition

I was pleased to have two paintings accepted into the Utah Watercolor Society Spring Open Exhibition. The two paintings are "Pine Creek Pageant" and "Autumn Falls". The show will be held at the Eccles Art Center in Ogden Utah May 3 through May 27, 2016.

Autumn Falls 10 x 14 watercolor

Pine Creek Pageant 14 x 21 Waterciolor

All Media Workshop held at New Electric Theater Arts Center

Great group of artists for Roland Lee's all-media workshop

About 15 artists signed up for my latest workshop sponsored by the Southern Utah Art Guild. It was held in St. George City's new Electric Theater Arts Complex. the facilities were wonderful and the artists were certainly equal to the task, as I presented my favorite tips and techniques from years of painting. Most were watercolorists, while about five painted in oils or acrylics. Thanks to Paul Jensen and the others on the workshop committee for their hard work in putting it all together. Participants included: Barbara Allen, Annie Barber, Maureen Booth, Stephen Cherry, Judy Ewing, Ilona Fellows, Sandy Fullerton, Sage Gallager, Jan Hansen, Paul Jensen, Georgia Johnson, Lynnette, Loughton, Mary Manning, Karen March, Carolyn Williams, Barbara Stevens.

A nice workshop facility at the Electric Theater Arts Center

Roland Lee does watercolor painting landscape demonstration

Roland Lee uses Powerpoint to teach art concepts during workshop

Utah Watercolor Society Workshop Scheduled March 18-19 in Salt Lake City

"Lake Powell Lustre" 11 x 14 Watercolor by Roland Lee

Join me in Salt Lake City March 18-19, 2016 for a two-day mini workshop called "Light Up Your Landscapes." Sponsored by the Utah Watercolor Society, the workshop will focus on seeing what nature does to catch our attention, and building up great paintings from mediocre reference photos. Both members and non-members of UWS can register. The event will be held at the Sons of Utah Pioneers Meeting Hall. Click here for complete information.

Award for Painting at Sears Invitational

My painting"Standing Tall" a 22 x 29 watercolor of Zion National Park won an award and was purchased by Brooks and June Pace at the 2016 Dixie State University Sears Invitational this week. I also sold an 11 x 14 oil painting called "Desert Afternoon."

"Standing Tall" 22 x 29 Watercolor painting by Roland Lee 

"Desert Afternoon" 11 x 14 Oil Painting by Roland Lee sold at the Sears Invitational

St. George Art Museum Presents Exhibit honoring 100th Anniversary of the National Parks

River of Time watercolor 21 x 29 on display at the St. George Art Museum

Roland lee's painting "River of Time" has been selected to appear in the upcoming exhibit "Uniting America: 100 Years on Common Ground" at the St. George Museum of Art. The exhibit honors the 100th anniversary of the founding of the National Park System in America. An opening reception will be held Thursday January 15, 2016 from 6-9pm. The show remains on exhibit through May 2016.

Roland Lee and Royden Card team up for Arts to Zion Studio Event

The paintings of Roland Lee and Royden Card are featured in this new book

Artist and printmaker Royden Card and painter Roland Lee will share the studio during the Arts to Zion Studio Tour January 14 -16, 2016. Royden is know for his wonderful color-filled oil landscapes as well as his striking hand-pulled prints. Both artists will have work on display and be demonstrating their art forms to visitors during the three-day event. Roland Lee and Royden card are featured in the book Art of the National Parks published recently. Visitors to the studio event will receive a special free gift. 165 North 100 East, St. George UT

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.