Spring Plein Air Watercolor Workshop at Mt. Carmel

Jon Lee painting the Mt. Carmel Cliffs

Really fun time at my watercolor workshop this week. We headquartered at the Orderville Events Center with a beautiful classroom facility and did plein air painting in the Mt. Carmel/East Zion/Bryce areas. We enjoyed painting in the steps of Maynard Dixon and Milford Zornes and were able to tour the Maynard Dixon home and studio thanks to the graciousness of Paul and Susan Bingham.

Classroom at the Orderville North Events Center

Workshop participants included: Kathy McFadden, Nannette Child, Linda Miller, Barbara Prestwich, Mark Rose, Micki Hutchinson, JoAnn Hall, Summer Stratton, Nancy Thompson, Pat Christensen, Max Lee and Jon Lee

Kathy McFadden plein air painting

Hard at work

Nanette Child and Micki Hutchinson work on their paintings

Mark Rose painting outdoors

Barbara Prestwich plein air painting at workshop 

Summer Stratton shows off watercolor painting

Micki Hutchinson at work in Orderville Utah

Max Lee working on his sketchbook

Pat Christensen finds a shady spot to paint

Susan Bingham takes us on a tour of the Maynard Dixon property in Mt. Carmel Utah

Linda Miller does a sketchbook study

JoAnn Hall and Jon Lee painting en plein air

Nancy Thompson finds a shady spot to sketch

Blown Away at the Rockville Bridge Plein Air Event

The winds howled, and we had to hang on to our paintings, but we weathered three days of outdoor painting to raise funds for the Rockville Bridge restoration. Luckily I had my trusty art assault vehicle, my 1988 Toyota 4x4 with 1992 Six Pac Super Mini Camper to help block the wind and provide shelter from time to time. All 15 invited artists had a blast and we had good sales as well.

1988 Toyota Hilux with Six Pac Camper - The perfect Art Vehicle

1988 Toyota Hilux with Six Pac Camper at Smith Mesa

1988 Toyota Hilux with Six Pac Camper in front of Mount Kinesava at Zion

Roland Lee plein air painting on Grafton Road near Zion

Had to duck out of the wind behind my 1988 Toyota Hilux with Six Pac Camper 

Painting the cliffs of Zion National Park from Grafton Road. Plein air by Roland Lee

First Place at St. George Art Festival

Over 110 artists and 30,000 visitors showed up for the 38th edition of the St. George Art Festival. I was happy to win First Place in watercolor for my painting "Navajo Loop Trail - Bryce Canyon." Thanks to all who stopped by my display  and a special thanks to some wonderful new collectors who purchased six of my original paintings during

Happy collectors make a happy artist

Roland Lee and first place award at the St. George Art Festival

the festival.

Paintings Ready for St. George Art Festival

Two little 6 x 9 gems framed in gold by Roland Lee

Now in its 38th year, the St. George Art Festival gets underway this weekend April 14-15, 2017. I have exhibited my paintings at this wonderful outdoor art show since the first year, and once again, I'm ready to go for the 2017 edition. Stop by my booth C-15 where I will over 30 original paintings on display.

"A Table for Two" 6 x 9 watercolor by Roland Lee

UPCOMING EVENTS

I have a number of exhibits and art events coming up soon. I would love to have you come and see my newest paintings. Click here to see my 2017 schedule of Events

I am involved in a number of Plein Air events this year

Roland Lee Speed Painting

I've started releasing a few time lapse videos of my paintings. It's kind of fun to watch several hours compressed into 40 seconds -- great for people with short attention spans. Take a look at this one of a beautiful desert sunset. "Sand Hollow Sunset"
Click here to view video

"Sand Hollow Sunset" Watercolor painting by Roland Lee
Watch a short 40 second time-lapse video

Kellers Purchase Painting of Spain Scene

I've enjoyed working on a few paintings from our recent trip to Spain. One of my favorite places we visited was the famous "Alhambra" in Granada. I did some sketching there, of course, and also shot some reference photos which I have been able to use in creating these new studio pieces. I was pleased that my good collectors, Gary and Linda Keller, purchased my painting "Palacio del Generalife," or "Summer Palace," one of the spectacular palaces in the Alhambra complex.

"Palacio del Generalife" 10 x 14 watercolor of "The Alhambra" by Roland Lee

Gary and Linda Keller purchased this painting of the "Alhambra" in Granada Spain.

Off the walls. "Cedar Breaks Overlook" Sold

"Cedar Breaks Overlook" sold at Sears Invitational

I was pleased that my painting "Cedar Breaks Overlook" sold at the Sears Invitational Art Show. My painting "Navajo Loop Trail" also received second place award in watercolor.

Roland Lee with award-winning painting "Navajo Loop Trail - Bryce Canyon"

Just Released. New Roland Lee Instructional DVD

CLICK TO SEE FREE PREVIEW VIDEO

I'm excited to announce the release of my third instructional DVD called "Cliffs of Zion". In this new DVD I walk the viewer through the entire process from reference photo, sketches and initial value study clear through to the finished painting. Techniques such as wet-into-wet skies, scumbling for rock textures, and negative painting for foliage are all demonstrated. You can click here to see a free preview of the video along with a speed painting of the whole process.

CLICK TO SEE FREE PREVIEW VIDEO

The third day of the Arts to Zion artists studio tour continues today. Royden Card and I are enjoying the many people who have stopped by to see our artwork. The open house continues Saturday January 14 and Monday January 16.

Royden Card with his acrylic paintings at the Roland Lee Gallery

Roland Lee with new paintings of the National Parks during the Arts to Zion tour

Arts to Zion Tour Jan 12-16, 2017

Join me at my studio Jan 12-16, 2017 for the Arts to Zion Studio tour. Organized by art-guru Bobbi Wankier, the tour is a bonanza for art collectors and artists alike. I have invited Royden Card to share my studio space downtown during the tour and he will display original acrylic paintings as well as woodblock prints. I will display plein air and studio paintings of the national parks. We will be closed on Sunday. 165 North 100 East, St. George UT.

Plein Air Landscape Paintings on Exhibit

"Cliffs in the Mist" 10 x 14 collection Tom and Cheryl Sachse

Thanks to V. Parker for purchasing my plein air painting "Angel's Landing" and to Tom and Cheryl Sachse who fell in love with "Cliffs in the Mist" during my Plein Air Landscape exhibit. Stop by my gallery and take a look. Everyone who walks in the door will get a free box of winter art cards, perfect for christmas. No purchase necessary.

"Angels Landing" 6 x 9 plein air painting collection V. Parker

Roland Lee Paintings in Sojourns Magazine

Sojourns Magazine. "Where Two Streams Meet" by Roland Lee

The beautiful Sojourns magazine has used two of my paintings in the current issue themed "Seeing Connections." The paintings "Where Two Streams Meet" and "East Temple Sunrise" illustrate the essay by Lyman Hafen called "The Confluence of Landscape and Memory."

Zion National Park Plein Air Event 3 minute Video

Youtube video for Zion National Park Plein Air Art Invitational. Features plein air artist Roland Lee and others describing their participation in the 2015 event. Click here to see 3 minute video

Roland Lee paints during 2016 Zion National Park Plein Air Art Invitational

Roland Lee Artist featured in Salt Lake Magazine

I was pleased to be featured in the regional magazine "Salt Lake" spotlighting my artwork and my eight year participation in the Zion National Park Plein Air Art Invitational. The article is entitled, "Art of Wonder - Roland Lee celebrates the National Parks Centennial by painting Zion National Park. Again." As one of the final events in the National Parks Centennial year, this is a a great time to honor those who helped establish the National Park system and made it the great treasure it is today. Early artists such as Thomas Moran and Maynard Dixon celebrated its beauty then, as artists today celebrate it still. pp. 51-52 Written by Lyman Hafen.

 

2016 Zion National Park Plein Air Art Invitational Better Than Ever

A group watches as I paint at the Zion Lodge on Saturday

Wow. What a great week painting in Zion! Wonderful weather, awesome fall colors, and a great group of art lovers to appreciate it all. This was the eighth year of the Zion National Park Plein Air Art Invitational. I have been fortunate to participate in all eight events and this was the best year yet. I enjoyed the many people who watched my demonstration painting and live painting at the Saturday quick draw. I hope it was fun for everyone. I met lots of wonderful artists as well as some great collectors who purchased five of my paintings. Thanks to the Park Service people as well as the staff of the Zion National Park Foundation who organized the event. Proceeds will benefit the "Youth Initiative" in bringing disadvantaged youth into the park, and taking rangers out to the schools.

Lots of photos of the finished demo painting

The lucky auction winners of my Wednesday demo "Towers at One O'clock". Mr. and Mrs. David Baldridge.

Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Child purchased my plein air painting "Angel in the Morning."

Roland Lee and Zion Plein Air Invitational featured in Etched magazine

Thanks to Lyman Hafen for the excellent article in Etched magazine. The Zion National Park Plein Air Art Invitational  is the first week in November 2016. Roland Lee will be presenting a painting demonstration in watercolor at the Zion Human History Museum on Wednesday November 9.

Two Zion Paintings Sold

Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Lemons who purchased two of my Zion National Park paintings from the Arts to Zion exhibit at Gallery 35.

Two Roland Lee watercolor paintings of Zion National Park were purchased at Gallery 35

"Best of Show Award" at UWS Show

I was thrilled to receive the "Best of Show" Award at the Fall juried exhibit of the Utah Watercolor Society. My painting "Cliffside Oasis" received the award along with a $500 prize. I was also honored to receive the "Juror's Choice" award for my painting "Misty Morning Zion" a watercolor painting of the Watchman cliff in Zion National Park. The juror was award-winning artist Iain Stewart.

Nellie and Roland Lee in front of his painting "Misty Morning Zion" which received "Jurors Choice" award

Juror Iain Stewart and Roland Lee stand by "Best of Show" painting "Cliffside Oasis."