Plein Air Painters of Utah at Vermillion Cliffs and Marble Canyon Arizona

Roland Lee works on plein air painting at Vermillion Cliffs. Photo by Tom Howard

Getting a plein air painting started at Vermillion Cliffs

Finished plein air painting at Vermillion Cliffs

Painting by my trusty Six Pac camper

We had a fun week with the Plein Air Painters of Utah (PAPU) as we travelled to Vermillion Cliffs National Recreation area in Arizona. Russell Case showed us a few of his favorite painting spots including a tremendous view overlooking Marble Canyon.

I camped at Lee's Ferry for three nights in my Six Pac camper. this is my art assault vehicle.

These strange Toadstools or Hoodoos look like they will topple over any minute on my Six Pac camper

Finished plein air Painting 6 x 9 at Vermillion Cliffs AZ

I enjoyed painting and filling my sketchbook with on location drawings

Join me at Plein Air Utah September 12-15

The Plein Air Artists of Utah have teamed up with the Midway Arts Association to present the second Plein Air Utah event September 12-15, 2018. Part rendezvous, part workshop, and plenty of fun, the event had 100 attendees last year. This years event is nearly sold out already so register now if you get a chance. the cost is $350 for all events.

The Midway Town Hall is the site of daily seminars and the art show at Plein Air Utah

Roland Lee painting at Plein Air Utah event in Midway UT

Roland Lee painting at Plein Air Utah 

April Watercolor Master Class

Front: Margo Cook, Jan Hansen, Shari Cannon, Susie Bytheway
Back: Mark Rose, Roland Lee

Wow! Another great Master Class with some special painters. Each worked on their own paintings while I coached them along. All the finished pieces are well-done and framable. I work with four or five experienced artists for two days each month in my studio and love it. Congratulations to all!

Utah Watercolor Society Spring Open Exhibit

I'm grateful to have two paintings juried into the 2018 Spring Open Exhibition of the Utah Watercolor Society. The exhibit will be at the Visual Arts Institute in Salt Lake City May 11 through June 16, 2018.

"Zion Narrows" 10 x 14 Watercolor

"Coal Creek" 18 x 24 Watercolor

Invited to present at Maynard Dixon Campout and Symposium in August

Watercolorists Roland Lee and Jim Asher on the Maynard Dixon Property 

I have been invited to attend the Maynard Dixon Campout August 22-25 as a featured presenter and demonstrator. This will be an excellent opportunity to attend several seminars and demonstrations by some top western artists.

The following artists will be symposium participants and/or give painting demonstrations:

John Taft

Lorenzo Chavez

Robert Goldman

Spike Ress

Brett Allen Johnson

Colleen Howe

David Lee

Denise Mahlke

Mark Fehlman

Ray Roberts

Peggi Kroll-Roberts

Joshua Baird

Roland Lee

Happy Collectors Leave with Paintings

Jill Romney with Roland Lee and painting "Heaps Canyon"

Leslie Layton and Roland Lee with painting "Chessman Columbines"

Two wonderful collectors added new watercolor paintings to their collections today after stopping by my St. George studio. Jill Romney purchased "Heaps Canyon" while Leslie Layton bought "Zion Narrows." Leslie also bought my Utah Watercolor Society best of show award-winning painting "Chessman Columbines." Recently she also purchased my Dixie Watercolor Society Best of Show painting, "East Zion Aria."

Peoples Choice Award at Dixie Watercolor Society exhibit

I was notified that my painting "Coal Creek received the Peoples Choice Award at the Spring exhibit of the DWS. It was a tie with my friend Eddi Malloy. Thanks everybody. The show was on display at Gallery 35.

"Coal Creek" watercolor painting 14 x 21 by Roland Lee

1988 toyota 4WD Pickup and Six Pac Camper has new wheels

Old Blue, my trusty 1988 4WD Toyota Pickup with 1992 Six Pac Camper now has new wheels!

Good news. My trusty 1988 Toyota Pickup and Six Pac Camper "Art Assault Vehicle" now has new wheels and tires. The old rusted wheels had that special "look" but after a year I found four original equipment wheels to bring the old boy back to its original showroom sparkle. New OEM Toyota mud flaps completed the ensemble. Now I just need to raise the funds to get a new paint job. In the meantime, if you see me out painting plein air with "Old Blue" be sure to honk.

Painting Generates $2900 at Southern Utah Museum of Art Auction

Zion Narrows Watercolor 14 x 10

After spirited bidding, this painting generated $2900 for the Southern Utah Museum of Art tonight during the annual auction at Rusty's Steak House. Thanks to Michelle Jorgenson and ERA Realty for being the winning bidders. I'm so glad to be able to make a contribution to SUMA. What a wonderful addition to the cultural arts in southern Utah. Hats off to the SUMA board and director Jessica Farling for their leadership.

Atkins Purchase Painting at Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show

Ralph and Cheri Atkin with Roland Lee at the 2018 Sears Invitational Art Show

Thanks to Ralph and Cheri Atkin who purchased my watercolor Painting called "Ripples of Gold' at the 31st annual exhibit of the Robert N. and Peggy Sears Invitational Art Show and Sale. The show is held each year in the Sears Museum Gallery on the Dixie State University Campus. 40% of the sales goes towards student scholarships, so it is a great cause. Robert and Peggy Sears spent years helping raise funds for the new art museum on the campus. Their legacy certainly lives on.

Best of Show Dixie Watercolor Society

Nellie and Roland Lee at the Dixie Watercolor Society Exhibit

I was thrilled to win Best of Show at the Spring 2018 Exhibit of the Dixie Watercolor Society. Thanks to Maureen Booth and the other board members who organized the exhibit.
My watercolor painting "East Zion Aria" was the winning painting. Here are the other winners. Thanks to everyone for your hard work.

AWARD WINNERS INCLUDED:

Best of Show:
Roland Lee

Signature Artists:
1st Place: Karen March
2nd Place: Bill Sherwin
3rd Place: Karen Bettilyon

Honorable Mention:
Sean Rowley
Jan Bown
Mary Jane Grow
Michelle Manriquez
Shari Cannon
Eddi Malloy

Associate Artists:
1st Place: Julie Strong
2nd Place: Carole Foster
3rd Place: Ray Pittman

Honorable Mention:
Jan Hansen
Maureen Booth
Bev Mangum

Add caption

31st Annual Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show

Sears Art Museum

I will be participating in the 31st annual Robert N. and Peggy Sears Invitational Art Show to be held Feb 16 – April 1, 2018. I will exhibit two paintings: “Ripples of Gold” and “Sands of Time” in the show. Held in the Sears Art Museum Gallery the show will feature over 100 artists. The show begins with a symposium at 3pm February 16 in the Eccles Concert Hall followed by a preview of the exhibit at the DSU Sears Art Museum Gallery . This will follow with a banquet, concluded by the official opening of the show and sale. Patrons may pull “intent to purchase cards” on the displayed pieces.

Ripples of Gold - Roland Lee Watercolor

Watercolor Painting with my Sons

I had fun running my two sons, Jim and Jon, through a three-day "Watercolor Boot Camp" this week. Both are already accomplished artists but wanted some one-on-one studio time with their old dad. We were all exhausted when it was over but it was so fun. Nothing I love better than sharing art with my kids and grandkids.

Jim on the left and Jon on the right. 

Jim with two of his watercolor landscapes

Roland critiques Jim's painting

Favorite Oil Painting

Janae chooses her favorite Roland Lee oil painting

A talented art student named Janae stopped by my art gallery for a visit and I asked her to choose a favorite painting. She chose "Virgin River Glow." I'm sure she will be a successful artist in the future.

Travels Down Under

My wife Nellie and I joined a group of friends for a few weeks in the land "down under." Starting in Sydney Australia, we toured the outback and seaside for a few days before boarding a cruise ship for New Zealand. Stopping at various ports we were able to explore lots of places on shore. I carried a sketchbook and recorded my thoughts as we went. The result is a show of about 12 new paintings completed since we returned last month. They will remain on display in my gallery until Christmas.

Sydney Opera House and harbor

Otago Bay Lighthouse near Dunedin New Zealand

Larnach Castle Gardens, Dunedin NZ

Larnach Castle Sea View New Zealand

Milford Sound Waterfalls New Zealand

Milford Zornes Watercolor Retreat

Roland Lee sitting in Maynard Dixon's chair in Milford Zornes Studio. Photo by Susan Bingham

What a blast we had as a group of watercolor artists gathered for the first annual Milford Zornes Painting Retreat October 11-15, 2017. Held at the studio in Mt. Carmel Utah owned by both Maynard Dixon and Milford Zornes, we enjoyed sharing ideas, relaxing, learning, and painting outdoors. The event was organized by artists Carolyn Lord and Spike Ress, and sponsored by Paul and Susan Bingham of the Thunderbird Foundation. Among the artists attending from all over the United States were: Carolyn Lord, Spike Ress, Frank Huff, Glen Knowles, Roland Lee, Terri Wells, Meredith Nemirov, Jamie Morgan, David Lee, James Asher, Joe Anna Arnett, and Sid Bingham.

Meredith Nemirov and her cousin Sharon Painting on the grounds of the Milford Zornes and Maynard Dixon property in Mt. Carmel Utah

Spike Ress, James Asher, Sue Cotter, Joe Anna Arnett, and Roland Lee

Roland Lee painting a watercolor of the Milford Zornes and Maynard Dixon Studio

Frank Huff and Roland Lee with paintings done at Milford Zornes Retreat

Roland Lee, Frank Huff, Carolyn Lord with paintings at Milford Zornes Retreat

Roland Lee's mobile studio, 1988 Toyota Hi Lux pickup with 1992 Six Pac Camper

Roland Lee and Meredith Nemirov

New Paintings for "The Way We Worked" Exhibit

These two paintings are part of the Dixie Watercolor Component of the Smithsonian's "Way We Worked" traveling exhibit. Gallery 35 on Main Street in St. George Oct 9-21.

"Helping" 10 x 14 watercolor by Roland Lee

"Retired" 10 x 14 watercolor by Roland Lee

High School Artists Shine with Watercolor

Roland Lee with art students at Valley High School. My demo painting is in the foreground

It was a pretty ambitious effort, but they all did pretty good. It was the first experience with watercolor painting for the art students at Valley High School. I was invited by Connie Goulding to spend a few hours working with her art classes. With assistance from my artist son Jon Lee, we worked through a little painting of pine trees and water. They were pretty pumped with their finished pieces and I think we are off to a good start.

Painting with Josh Clare at Plein Air Utah

Roland Lee plein air painting Probst Ranch Midway UT. Photo Alan Fuchs

I enjoyed painting with so many great artists at Plein Air Utah in Midway. Co-sponsored by Plein Air Painters of Utah, of which I am a member, and the Midway Arts Association the event was attended by close to 100 artists.

Roland Lee Painting at Plein Air Utah event in Midway. Photo Alan Fuchs

Artist Josh Clare with Roland Lee at Plein Air Utah event

Watching artist Josh Clare demonstrate his oil painting skills at the "Plein Air Utah" event was a singular experience for me. I have followed his landscape paintings for a long time but when I saw him paint a warm snow scene for his demonstration painting before the whole group I was stunned. His process seemed almost effortless as he went to work. I knew I had to leave with that painting. So, as is often the case, the art collector in me took over as Josh and I worked out a price, and purchased a frame from vendor Cory Willis. I also picked up four small Josh Clare sky demos that are little gems.

Josh Clare holds four demo paintings of cloudscapes

A New Home for "Far View - Capitol Reef"

Watercolor painting "Far View at Capitol Reef" by Roland Lee

I was thrilled when one of my favorite landscape artists Bruce Everett purchased my watercolor painting "Far View Capitol Reef" recently. His stunning landscapes are an inspiration to me. Thanks to Paul and Susan Bingham for introducing Bruce to my work at their beautiful Bingham Gallery in Mt. Carmel, UT.

New Painting of East Zion

"Sands of Time - East Zion"  - 15 x 21 Watercolor painting by Roland Lee

I have been working on a series of new Zion paintings which will be part of my new book being published next year tentatively called Discovering Zion - Landscape, Geology and History. It will feature my landscape paintings of Zion with commentary by Dr. Robert Eves and historian Lyman Hafen.

Bryce Paintings On Exhibit in Group Show

Group show of paintings created during my summer workshops in Zion and Bryce Canyons. An opening reception will be held from 6 to 8pm September 15 at the Syracuse Community Center, 1912 West 1900 South, Syracuse, UT.

Roland at Bryce Canyon Featured in Plein Air Today Article

An article about my exploits at Bryce Canyon National Park appeared in "Plein Air Today" a weekly online plein air magazine. Click here to read the article.

Roland Lee demonstrates plein air painting at Bryce Canyon National Park

Best of Show at Utah Watercolor Society

I was thrilled to hear one of my paintings received Best of Show at the 2017 Utah Watercolor Society Small Works Exhibit held in Salt Lake City, UT. The show will remain on display at Michael Berry Gallery in Salt Lake City through August 11, 2017. The juror for the show is famed western watercolorist Don Weller. My good friend Ian Ramsay won the Award of Excellence.