Friday, April 12, 2024

"Hope of Dawn" Selected for Watercolor West 56th Annual International Exnibition

It's always a joy to find out one of my paintings makes it in to one of the big shows. My painting, "Hope of Dawn," was juried into the 2024 International Juried Watercolor West exhibition. The 56th Annual International Exhibition will be displayed July 6 - August 3, 2024 at Coastline College in Southern California.

"Hope of Dawn" watercolor by Roland Lee. Watercolor West 56th Annual International Exhibition

Utah Watercolor Society Spring Open Exhibition

I am excited to learn that my painting "Through Canyons Like This" was juried into the Utah Watercolor Society Spring 2024 Open Exhibition. This show will be on display at the Visual Art Institute in Salt Lake City, UT starting May 10 through June 13, 2024. If you get a chance stop by and see the show.

"Through Canyons Like This" juried in to the UWS
Spring open exhibition

Monday, March 11, 2024

March Master Class Demo

 We had a great master class in March at "The Art Place' studio. All six students are upper-level artists, so it is a joy to work with them. The artists included: Max Birnbaum, Karen Bettilyon, Shari Cannon, Connie Madsen, Virginia Howard and Teresa Larson. I did a watercolor demonstration of Zion National Park using a reference photo I shot there.

Watercolor demo by Roland Lee at March master class.


Best of Show at St. George Art Museum DWS Show

 The Dixie Watercolor Society enjoyed attendance of 387 people at their Spring Show reception March 9. Organized by show chairman Cheryl Sachse, the show "Splash of Color" featured 60 artists who contributed  147 paintings. The show will hang at the St. George Art Museum through May. Be sure to stop by and see it. I was grateful to win "Best of Show" for my painting, "Shopping in the Casbah."

Roland Lee, Best of Show, St. George Art Museum
Splash of Color DWS Show


Thursday, February 22, 2024

Historical Paintings Presentation at the Meadows

 I was invited to speak to a group of about 35 residents of The Meadows, a retirement community. I showed via PowerPoint how I conceived and painted a number of paintings representing the history of southern Utah and the pioneer town of St. George.

Nellie and Roland Lee with Ken and Janet Reber holding a Roiland Lee painting.

Plein Air Painting with my Daughter

 My daughter, Jana Lee Cherry, and I enjoyed our sunny southern Utah weather by going out to the sand dunes in Warner Valley to plein air paint. We had a great time together and were able to come away with some fun paintings. The only hitch came when we tried to leave and ended up getting stuck in some very deep dry sand. I sunk my "art assault vehicle" up to the axels and needed to get a little assistance from a passer-by who had a wintch and a tow rope. Live and learn!

Jana Lee Cherry with her plein air sketchbook painting

Roland Lee plein air painting in the sand dunes near St. George UT

Roland Lee art assault vehicle stuck in the sand. 1988 Toyota pickup with 1992 Six-Pac camper.

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Awards at the Sears Invitational Art Show

 I presented paintings from my book "The Way to Angel's Landing" at the Robert and Peggy Sears Invitational Art Show at Utah Tech University. I was pleased to be awarded a second place award. The show will continue into March 2024 with hours from about 10am to 8pm.

Roland Lee painting received award at Sears Invitational Art Show.

Roland Lee with award winning painting at 2024 Sears Invitational

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

St. George Temple Dedication Giclee Print Available

"House of the Lord" painting by Roland Lee of the St. George LDS Temple

"The House of the Lord," original watercolor painting by Roland Lee. I worked on this painting of the St. George LDS Temple the week before its dedication, and the week following. We were grateful to have President Jeffrey R. Holland perform the dedication. There are 100 signed and numbered giclee prints available online at www.rolandlee.com  When they are gone, they are gone. 14 x 20 on Epson Velvet paper. $300 plus UT sales tax.

Sunday, December 03, 2023

Mighty Five - Zion National Park Receptioin

 It was exciting to see paintings from the Sears Museum permanent collection on display along with some current paintings of Zion National Park at the opening reception for "Mighty Five - Zion National Park."
I had three new paintings on display along with two from Utah Tech University permanent collection. It was a treat to have my paintings hung alongside other paintings from deceased artists Maynard Dixon, Robert Shepherd, and Wallace Lee. It was also great to rub shoulders with other artist friends including  Royden Card, Mary Jabens, Arlene Braithwaite, and Diane Cliff. The show runs through December.

Artist Royden Card and his wife Sandee, along with Roland Lee at the Mighty Five, Zion National Park show.

Roland Lee with painting from the Utah Tech Sears Art Museum permanent collection.

Monday, November 13, 2023

The Mighty Five - Zion National Park Exhibit

 Three of my new paintings of Zion National Park will be exhibited at the upcoming "Mighty Five - Zion National Park Art Show at Utah Tech University. The show will be on display from December 1, 2023 until January 12, 2024 in the Sears Museum. Reception December 1, 7-8:30pm.

Roland Lee Paintings will be on display at the Mighty Five Zion National Park exhibit

Thursday, November 09, 2023

Featured Artist at Gallery 35 Through January 2023

 I am loving my new location for displaying my paintings at Gallery 35 in St. George Utah. I am the featured artist there through January 2024. My work is also featured at the Maynard Dixon Legacy Gallery in Mt. Carmel, Utah. Stop by and let Susan Bingham show you my new paintings.

Roland Lee paintings are on display at Gallery 35 in St. George Utah
Roland Lee paintings are featured at the Maynard Dixon Legacy Gallery at Mt. Carmel

New Private Art Studio at East Zion

Since closing my art gallery in St. George I have moved my studio to east Zion National Park, where I will be painting during summer and fall. We have taken one of our cabins there and created a wonderful working space right in the heart of Zion country. I also have a home studio for the colder months. I will no longer have an "open studio" where visitors can drop in, but my paintings can be purchased from my website or from Gallery 35 in St. George Utah or the Maynard Dixon Legacy Gallery in Mt. Carmel, Utah near Zion National Park.

The Studio at East Zion, Roland Lee's new private studio

Interior of Roland Lee art studio at east Zion National Park

Featured Artist at Gallery 35

I am pleased to announce that Gallery 35 will be the new home for my paintings in St. George, Utah where I am the featured artist through January 2024. I have closed my downtown art gallery after 12 years in that location, and moved my painting studio to my east Zion cabin. I will no longer have an "open studio" but all my new paintings can still be seen and purchased from my website at www.rolandlee.com and at Gallery 35 as well as The Maynard Dixon Legacy Gallery in Mt. Carmel, Utah

Poster for Roland Lee Featured Artist at Gallery 35

Wednesday, November 08, 2023

Painting Sold From Gallery 35

 I spent some time in Gallery 35 today, and enjoyed visiting with collectors who stopped by to see my new work as the gallery as "Featured Artist." I was pleased that Virginia Howard decided to add "Gentle Flow" to her collection. 

Virginia Howard stands by new Roland Lee painting purchased today at the Gallery 35

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Fun with Family at Capitol Reef

 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.

Jana Lee Cherry, Nellie Lee, Roland Lee and Jim Lee


Wonderful Collectors

 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.

James Barrett and Roland Lee in front of James' new painting.