Goodbye to James Asher

I was saddened to learn fellow watercolorist James Asher passed away last week after battling cancer. He was a huge influence on me in my beginning days of watercolor painting. I remember seeing his work in an art magazine back in 1979, and studying it for a long time. His detailed style was very unusual and gave me renewed hope for the medium. It was good to see he and his sweet wife Joe Anna Arnett last year at the Milford Zornes Retreat. I enjoyed listening while they swapped stories of the early days. Rest in peace Jim!

l to r: Spike Ress,  James Asher, Sue Cotter, Joe Anna Arnett, Roland Lee

James Asher at the Milford Zornes Retreat

Roland Lee and James Asher at the Maynard Dixon Property in Mt. Carmel Utah

History of Southern Utah Presentation

I was invited to speak this evening at Dixie State University by the Institute for Continued Learning. My topic was "A Brush with History - Southern Utah's History in Art." I prepared a keynote presentation using my historic sketches and paintings through the years. We had a packed house of about 100 in the audience. My artist friend Mary Manning shot this photo of historian and former University president Doug Alder chatting after the presentation.

Former DSU President and historian Douglas Alder and Roland Lee 

Roland Lee giving presentation to ICL group at Dixie State University

Autumn Leaves and Winter Snow Workshop

Meg Mitragotri, from the Bay area, with her class paintings

Becky Whitney of A Passion for Painting Studio opened her classroom for a two-day Roland Lee watercolor workshop. We had eight wonderful artists attend the class. They included: Karen Bettilyon, Randy Peterson, Mark Gamet, Audrey Heaton, Meghana Mitragotri, Jackie Lahee, Cathy Kirby, and Karen. Our painting subjects included applying aerial perspective to snow scenes, along with wet into wet applications for multiple pigments in the sky and snow, and using negative painting on the trees. Their paintings were very good. We also worked on the same techniques as they applied to autumn foliage. I have posted my classroom demonstration paintings here.

Roland Lee workshop demonstration painting "Autumn at the Lake"
Collection Karen Bettilyon

Roland Lee workshop demonstration painting "Winter Snow"
Collection Randy Peterson

February 2019 Master Class

Feb 2019 Roland Lee master class in his studio classroom

My monthly master class included Karen Bettilyon, Mark Rose, Shari Cannon, and Connie Madsen. I've enjoyed teaching these artists for many years, and we've become good friends. The instruction portion of this class included the importance of identifying form and cast shadows, as well as a slide presentation on some of my favorite watercolor artists.

Roland Lee Feb 2019 Master Class l to r: Shari Cannon, Roland Lee, Karen Bettilyon, Mark Rose, Connie Madsen

Weavers present creative fabric Show

I have to admit that I love all the art forms as much as I enjoy watercolor painting. My own collection of sculpture, pottery, wood carvings, baskets, woven rugs and wall hangings barely fits in my home and gallery. So with that in mind, you can understand why I came home with four new hand-woven creations from a recent collaborative show called "Fiber Galore - Weaving and other Fiber Arts" held at the Red Cliffs Art Gallery. Sponsored by the St. George Weaving Studio, with contributions from other weaving groups, the huge show presented an amazing variety of quality creations. Thanks to my good friend Sandra Sandburg, who has been mentoring weavers for years, and Doni Pack who was kind enough to sell me a couple of great weavings.

Roland Lee poses with Doni Pack in front of two of the weavings he purchased from her at the Fiber Galore show sponsored by the St. George Weaving Studio

New Home for "Glorious Morn" Alaska Painting

Thanks to Randy Peterson for adding "Glorious Morn" a watercolor painting of Alaska to his art collection. This is Randy's third Roland Lee original painting. Glorious Morn won a top award from the Utah Watercolor Society in 2018. Randy is also a competent watercolor painter and has taken a workshop from me.

Randy Peterson and his new Roland Lee acquisition, "Glorious Morn"

Arts to Zion Studio Tour

I invited my good friend and artist Royden Card to share my studio space during the 2019 Arts to Zion Studio Tour. His vivid acrylic landscapes and fascinating woodcuts were a great combination with my watercolor paintings. We had a great turnout and enjoyed visiting with the collectors during the Martin Luther King weekend.

Artists Roland Lee and Royden Card at the Roland Lee Studio during the 2019 Arts to Zion Studio Tour 

Royden Card

Roland Lee Studio

Royden Card with Woodcut materials

"Famous" Grafton Schoolhouse Painting Finds a New Home

A little plein air painting of the old Grafton Schoolhouse, which was featured in Plein Air magazine's "Postcards from the Road" page, has found a new home. Architect Eric Roberts from Nevada, an accomplished watercolorist in his own right, visited my studio and had to have the painting. You  can read about the painting in the September/October issue of Plein Air Magazine and in American Watercolor Weekly.

Grafton Schoolhouse plein air painting by Roland Lee

"River Boulders" Zion painting of Virgin River Sold to the Halls

Thanks to Ken, Dianne and Rebecca Hall who visited my gallery today and left with both a print and an original painting. They purchased "River Boulders" a painting of the Virgin River in Zion National Park and "Angels Above, Heaven Below" a giclee limited edition print of Zion. The paintings will decorate Ken's office as the director of MBA programs at Southern Utah University.

The Halls purchase Roland Lee paintings of Zion National Park

Roland Lee Full Page ad in Southwest Art Magazine for Zion Centennial and my Retrospective Show

There is a full-page ad in the February 2019 Southwest Art magazine featuring my 40 Year Retrospective show at the DSU Sears Art Museum this summer. It also spotlights my exhibit for the 100 year Centennial of Zion National Park.

Roland Lee 40 Year Retrospective full-page ad in February 2019 issue of Southwest Art Magazine

Southwest Art Top Landscape Artists

If you subscribe to Southwest Art Magazine you may have noticed an article about my work in the February 2019 issue that just came out. I am included in the section "Natural Wonders - 9 Top Landscape Artists to collect." Also in the February issue is a full-page advertisement for my June through August 2019 "40 Year Retrospective."

Roland Lee article in Feb 2019 Southwest Art magazine

1988 Toyota Hilux pickup truck 4WD

My 1988 Toyota Pickup with the Six Pac Camper removed. Great little pickup truck for getting around, especially in the snow of Zion National Park as well as the desert sands of southern Utah.

1988 Toyota Hilux pickup truck with original steel wheels

Grand Opening of the "Roland Lee Canyon Loft Residence" suite at Cable Mountain Lodge Zion

At the Grand Opening Reception with poster describing the Roland Lee Canyon Loft Residence at Cable Mtn. Lodge Zion 

The view from the Roland Lee Canyon Loft Residence at Cable Mountain Lodge Zion

The interior of the Roland Lee Canyon Loft Residence at Cable Mountain Lodge Zion

Nellie and I enjoyed spending a week in the new residence suites at the gorgeous Cable Mountain Lodge, just outside Zion National Park. The Heaton Family pulled out all the stops on this new part of the Lodge with enormous apartment-sized suites coupled with equally enormous decks. The decks reward the guests with almost a 180 degree view of the staggering Zion peaks. Thanks to Nate Wells, who manages the facility for the Heaton family. Several of the suites are decorated with images by Zion's top artists, and I am honored that "The Roland Lee Canyon Loft Residence" is decorated with my paintings of Zion National Park. Wow, what a view!

2018 10th Annual Zion Plein Air Invitational Art Show

24 artists just completed one week of outdoor painting, live demonstrations, Paint outs, Silent Auction and Wet Paint sale at Zion National Park. Celebrating its 10th year, this year was one of the best. Certainly the weather cooperated with warm sunny days, and brilliant fall colors. I was pleased to see several of my past collectors as well as meet some wonderful new collectors who purchased 8 of my paintings. Thanks to the Zion Forever Project and many volunteers who made the event possible. The proceeds benefitted the Zion Youth Initiative in its efforts to introduce the future generations to the beauty of our nation's special places. In addition to the collectors shown below I would also like to thank Amy Woodward for purchasing my live demo painting "Altar of Sacrifice," Peter Kirk for purchasing "Morning Light" and Steven and Jenny Goodwin for purchasing my studio painting "View from Scout Lookout."

Roland Lee with Carmen Snow who bought "Morning Backlight at Zion

Roland and Nellie Lee at the Zion Park Lodge paint out

Painting "Above Angels Landing" at Big Bend

Roland Lee at opening night of Zion Plein Air gala

Julie Saemisch purchased Roland Lee studio painting "Oak Creek Canyon" at Zion Plein Air

Matt Hafen purchased Roland Lee painting "Great White Throne"

Darci Carlson purchased Roland Lee painting "Sentinel Rising"

Roland Lee and his three daughters at the Zion Plein Air Gala

Ramon Martinez purchased Roland Lee painting "Cathedral Mountain'

Rodney Cruze purchased Roland Lee painting "Castle Dome" at Zion Plein Air paint out

90 people attended Roland Lee live painting demonstration of "Altar of Sacrifice" at the 2018 10th annual Zion Plein Air Art invitational

Outdoor Painters See the Light at Zion National Park Event

Zion National Park Plein Air Art Invitational Article

"Plein Air Magazine" ad for Zion National Park Plein Air features Roland Lee painting

Advertisement featuring Roland Lee Painting in "Plein Air Magazine>"

My painting "View From Scout Lookout"was featured in the November 2018 issue of "Plein Air Magazine" in an advertisement for the 2018 Zion National Park Plein Air event.