New Watercolor Paintings for the St. George Art Festival

I will be exhibiting a number of new original paintings at the St. George outdoor Art Festival this Friday and Saturday in the St. George City Town Square. The show runs from about 10am until 6pm both days with hundreds of booth displays, plus food, music, and activities for the kids. The weather will be fantastic so come on down.

Zion National Park

Jacob Hamblin Home

Pine Valley Autumn, Pine Valley Chapel

Zion National Park, Temple of Sinawava

Zion National Park Painting

Live demonstration in Zion National Park

Yesterday I was invited to present a live painting demonstration in Zion National Park for Soltis Investments. While some of their conference guests were hiking the canyons, and others were horseback riding along the Virgin River, others chose to watch me paint! I'm not sure they made the best choice, but it was fun to be with them in an intimate corner of the park and share my thoughts and feelings about the role of art in our busy world. Those attending were gracious and seemed to enjoy the experience, as I did. Thanks to my good friend Lyman Hafen for helping me, and to Tyler Wilkinson for setting it up. And a special thanks to Ken and Linda Crandall, who purchased one of my originals, "Watchman Glow" at LaFave Gallery afterwards.

Roland Lee painting in Zion National park

The finished painting, "Springtime in Zion"

Painting Water in Watercolor - Workshop Painting Demonstrations

We enjoyed a pleasant painting workshop last week dealing with the nuances of painting water. I presented several of my favorite techniques for handling the tricky subject, including methods for lakes, rivers, and wet surfaces. We worked on several projects including the three subjects shown here. Most of the students are very experienced artists, so it was fun working with them. Thanks to Becky Whitney at A Passion for Painting for organizing the workshop.

Class demo - Duck Creek on Cedar Mountain. A slow-moving stream

Class demo - A winter pond with still water reflections

Class demo - Lone Rock at Lake Powell with smooth water

LaFave Gallery Displays New Roland Lee Paintings of Zion National Park

"Watchman Glow" a watercolor painting of Zion National Park by Roland Lee is on display at LaFave Gallery

Last Saturday we delivered 8 new paintings of Zion National Park to Kathy LaFave at LaFave Gallery in Springdale Utah. All the paintings are new, and have not been exhibited anywhere else. LaFave is readying her gallery for the Spring/Summer season, which begins soon. Located at the mouth of Zion National Park, the gallery gets traffic from the over 3 million visitors to the park each year. Sales were brisk last year and I am happy to present a whole new show this year. Stop by if you get in the area.

LaFave Gallery in Springdale is displaying 8 new Roland Lee paintings of Zion National Park

Two Paintings Sold at Sears Invitational Art Show

Tonight was the opening banquet and reception for the 28th annual Robert and Peggy Sears Invitational Art Show on the campus of Dixie State University. The show features works by about 135 artists in all mediums and genres. My good friend Royden Card was the featured artist and speaker. His words were inspiring and uplifting to all of us. Following the banquet George Handrahan was named as the featured artist for next year and won the Best of Show purchase award. Painting purchases were made by draw as the Eccles Gallery on campus was flooded with buyers. I was pleased to have both of my paintings snapped up in the first few minutes by Janet Sparks. she purchased "On the Farm"and "Yorkshire Dales Morn." The show remains on exhibit through March 29, 2015.

Collector Jan Sparks (middle) with friend Alice Allred (left) pose with Roland Lee at the Sears Invitational Art Show. Janice purchased two of Roland's paintings at the show.

First Place DWS Spring Show Ponte Vecchio Painting

Roland Lee watercolor painting of the Ponte Vecchio Bridge in Florence

I attended the reception for the 2015 Spring Exhibit and competition of the Dixie Watercolor Society tonight. Participation was great this year, and the competition was keen. I was grateful to receive First Place award in the signature artist category for my painting Porch at Ponte Vecchio. Watercolorist Jana Parkin was the juror.

Roland Lee won First Place award at the DWS Spring Art Show

New Roland Lee Painting of Zion National Park

I've been working on a series of new watercolor paintings of Zion National Park. Most are at the framer right now but I'll post a few over the next week or so. To see more new paintings visit my website and check out my business facebook page.

"Rio Virgin" 10 x 14 watercolor painting by Roland Lee of Zion National Park

Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch...

We're enjoying a quiet weekend tending Clear Creek Family Ranch for my son Jon while he and his family travel to a mission homecoming. The weather is amazing, the scenery is tops, and the animals are really hungry! Gathered a couple dozen eggs and introduced ourselves to the new pig Felipe (snort). Hope you are having a great Saturday too.

Felipe and I hit it off right away. He was hungry, and I had food. He's a new addition to Clear Creek Family Ranch.

Had to fill up the big water trough. About 100 deer get their water here during the night too.

Domestic turkeys watching the chickens have a buffet of scraps. Literally thousands of wild turkeys roam the Clear Creek Family Ranch as well.

Farmer Roland out standing in his field. Just before repairing a busted fence with duct tape at Clear Creek Family Ranch. Too much fun.

Chicks and ducks and geese better scurry. We had tons of feathered friends waiting for the feed buckets this morning. It's nice to feel needed.

Wonderful Workshop with Great Artists

We just concluded the second day of my February workshop. Our subject was painting Utah scenes in Winter and we enjoyed exploring the wonders of painting snow in watercolor. It was a real treat to be with such excellent artists and share ideas together. Participants included Sally Valiton, Ridgecrest CA; Mark Rose, American Falls ID; Karen Bettilyon, Salt Lake City, UT; Karen Dorsey, Heber City UT; Connie Madsen, Salt Lake City UT; Shari Cannon, Eagle Mtn Ut, Pamela Jones, Big Pines CA, and Margo Cook, Salt Lake City UT.

A thumbnail value study and  class demonstration painting "Evergreen on the Rocks."

Studying the character of snow banks in the desert landscape.

New Paintings from Italy

I have been painting steadily since our trip to Italy and Europe. Many of the paintings are sold but I have completed a few new small paintings. All of these are available.  If you want to follow my studio work be sure to "like" my Roland Lee Facebook page.

"Tuscan Vineyards" 8 x 12 watercolor by Roland Lee

"Venice Canal" 8 x 12 watercolor by roland Lee

"Isle of Capri" 6 x 9 watercolor by Roland Lee

"Italian Entryway" 5 x 8 watercolor by Roland Lee

Collectors buy Plein Air painting

I was pleased to have new collectors Karen and David Ji stop by the studio recently to look at my work. They fell in love with a small painting I did during the Zion National Park Plein Air art event called "Roots and Branches." It was colorful autumn scene done in Pine Creek Canyon. Congratulations to the Ji's on your new Roland Lee painting.

Karen and Richard Ji pose with their new Roland Lee painting

You are invited! Paintings of Europe and Tuscany Show Starts Thursday Dec 11

Castle Neuschwanstein in Germany - Roland Lee watercolor painting

Tuscan Countryside in Italy - Roland Lee watercolor painting

A new show of paintings from my October trip to Germany, Switzerland, and Italy will open Thursday December 11 at the Roland Lee Gallery. I will have about 15 new original paintings on display. Please stop by the gallery anytime from 10am to 6pm Thursday Dec 11, 10am to 9pm Friday Dec 12 in conjunction with the St. George Art Walk, and 10am to 5pm Saturday Dec 13. Also on display will be paintings of southern Utah including Zion and Bryce Canyons. Everyone who stops by will receive a free box of 16 Christmas art cards featuring Roland Lee winter paintings. The Roland Lee Gallery is located next to the Pioneer Courthouse and Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum at 165 North 100 East #2, St. George UT 84770. 435-673-1988. www.rolandlee.com

Italian sheep grazing - original Watercolor by Roland Lee

Swiss window box - Original by Roland Lee

New Roland Lee Paintings from Europe Art Show December 11 - 31

You are invited to an art show and sale of new paintings from my recent trip to Italy, Germany, and Switzerland. I have been working on both small and large paintings which include the colorful medieval cities of Italy, the Tuscan countryside, Canals of Venice, Swiss Alps, and even the intriguing Neuschwanstein Castle of Germany. The paintings are at the framers now and will be ready to show beginning December 11 in my downtown studio. Stop by and take a look. Hours will be from 10am to 5pm weekdays. My studio is located at 165 North 100 East #2, St. George UT 84770. Here is a sample of what you'll see:

Roland Lee painting of Ponte Vecchio in Florence Italy

Roland Lee painting of town square in Lucca Italy

Roland Lee painting of Lucca Italy towers from the town wall

Roland Lee painting of Gondola in Venice Italy

Roland Lee Plein Air Paintings at the Zion National Park Plein Air Art Show

At the request of many of my students I am posting some of the plein air watercolor paintings completed at the Zion National Park Plein Air Art Festival.  Plus a little about my outdoor painting equipment and supplies. All these paintings were done on Arches 140 pound watercolor paper using mostly Daniel Smith watercolor paints. I usually paint smaller than 1/4 sheet when I paint outdoors. Most of the time I paint using a Sienna pochade box and tripod, or Anderson easel, but when I get tired I just sit in my favorite folding chair and hold my painting in my lap as I work. As always, I keep all my supplies in my trusty Toyota pickup and camper. It was ideal for this week's work in Zion. Loaded with art supplies, snack foods, ice cooler, and a nice bed for an afternoon nap, it is the ideal support vehicle for outdoor painting.

I am using a Sienna All Purpose Pochade box adapted perfectly for watercolors

My super-duper art support vehicle. A 1988 Toyota four-wheel drive pickup with 1992 Six Pac Super Mini camper. Perfect for a week painting outdoors in Zion National Park. 

A comfortable painting set-up with two Eldajon watercolor palettes on a Sienna easel that easily adjusts to my 6 foot 2 inch height.

Roland Lee Wins People's Choice Award at Zion National Park Plein Air Art Show

My wife, Nellie, shows off the certificate I won  for People's Choice at the Zion National Park Plein Air event

I was pleased to win the "People's Choice" award at the Zion National Park Plein Air Festival this year. What made it really cool is it also came with a $250 check. Yippee!