My new acrylic on canvas painting "Desert Crescendo" was shipped out today to a collector in Michigan. I am so grateful to my faithful collectors for their willingness to have my paintings become a part of their collections.
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| Acrylic painting by Roland Lee "Desert Crescendo" |
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| Framed painting "Desert Crescendo" by Roland Lee |
I'm happy to announce our new children's book "The Way to Angels Landing." Lyman Hafen came to me with a story he wrote about a young boy and his desire to climb Angels Landing, an exciting but dangerous hike in Zion National Park. In the process, the boy comes to an understanding about the death of his beloved grandfather. He realizes that he will always be near. Lyman invited me to illustrate the book, which took several months and included 20 large watercolor paintings. I am happy with the results. The book is available for $19.95 with free shipping from www.lymanhafen.com
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| The Way to Angels Landing - Book cover illustration by Roland Lee |
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| Spread from "The Way to Angels Landing" painting by Roland Lee |
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| Finished flats for the Way to Angels Landing |
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| Roland Lee Studio with finished paintings for The Way to Angels Landing book |
My painting "Party Line" was juried into the 2022 American Watercolor society Associate Members online exhibit. The show will run online from June 4 through August 20, 2022.
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| Roland Lee AWS American Watercolor Society Associate Exhibit |
I was notified by "Watercolor West" that following my acceptance in the current show I have been awarded signature member status. I consider that a lifetime achievement and am very grateful to be admitted to this wonderful transparent-only watercolor society.
The boys and I enjoyed strolling through the St. George Art Festival today along with quite a few of my other grandkids, and one of my great-grandsons too. We are at Emily Thomas' booth and I am holding the painting I just bought from her called "Los Tres Amigos." I succumbed to my art addiction and purchased 7 new paintings, 3 new pots, and a wood plate. Too much fun.
My painting, "Colorful Solitude" was juried into the 98th annual Spring Salon of the Springville Museum of Art. The show runs from April 27 through July 2, 2022. This is an important museum show and I am grateful to have my work included.
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| "Colorful Solitude" watercolor painting of Lake Powell in the Springville 98th annual Spring Salon |
I was happy to find out my painting "Season's Passage" was juried into the 2022 Utah Watercolor Society Spring Open Exhibition. The show will be on display at the Logan Fine Art Gallery May 6 - May 31, 2022.
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| "Season's Passage" watercolor painting by Roland Lee in the Utah Watercolor Society 2022 Spring Open Exhibition |
I was invited to judge a local art show for the Southern Utah Art Guild and discovered the wonderful pottery of Anita Gardner. I decided to purchase one of her works which I was really impressed with. I have since added a couple of other pots as well.
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| Roland Lee shows off new pot acquired from Anita Gardner |
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| Roland Lee painting in May 2022 Western Art Collector Magazine |
Carl Larson purchased my painting, "Glory of Dawn." Carl has an extensive art collection, and I am so pleased to have him select a Roland Lee painting to be a part of it.
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| Carl Larson and Roland Lee painting |
I was excited to find out my painting "Autumn's Ambience" was selected for the 54th annual Watercolor West International Exhibition. The show will be at the Coastline College Gallery of Art in Newport Beach CA.
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| "Autumn's Ambience" Watercolor West 2022 Exhibit |
Roland Lee's painting "Zion Canyon Reflections" was featured in the portfolio, "Desert Emotions" by John O'Hern in the May 2022 issue of Western Art Collector magazine. The painting was purchased by Keith Criddle.
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| Zion Canyon Reflections by Roland Lee |
My granddaughter and her friend enjoyed painting in my studio for her private birthday party. They both painted a wonderful little floral painting and really were quite good. Many of my children and grandchildren have artistic talents and it is fun to watch them blossom.
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| A fun birthday painting party in my studio |
It is always fun (but exhausting) for me to have four students come into my studio once a month for two days of painting together. After a couple of hours of instruction, they work on their own paintings for the remainder of the time. We have several critiques where we all help each other with problems, and give encouragement. I am always impressed as I was in my April class.
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| Meg Mitrigotri and Roland Lee in Master Class with works she created |
I was thrilled to have my painting 'By the Canal" chosen for inclusion in the May issue of Fine Art Connoisseur magazine. The painting will be part of a special section called "Green Zones" showing how artists use the color green in their paintings.
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| Roland Lee painting in Fine Art Connoisseur magazine may 2022 |
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| Roland Lee watercolor painting in WFWS 47th annual exhibit |
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| Film crew with Roland Lee in Zion National Park |
PBS Utah is airing a promo trailer for their new documentary "Call of the Canyon - Zion National Park." The full-length documentary on artists in Zion National Park will be officially released in January 2022. I am thrilled to be a part of this wonderful new film, and to share my love for this wonderful place. Click here to view the promo.
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| Roland Lee article in St. George Lifestyle Magazine |
I am honored that JJ Abernathy, editor of St. George Lifestyle Magazine, chose to do an editorial about me and my work. She invited Janice Brooks to visit my studio and talk to me about my painting process and what I love most about my art career. Thanks to all of you for a beautiful magazine. My painting "Winter Blessings" is on the cover. The painting is owned by Catherine and the late Glen Blakley.
I was honored to be invited to give the keynote address at the 2021 Business of Art Conference. I told a little about those who had influenced me on my quest for an art career and spotlighted two key elements. Number one is to do everything in your power to "get good" at what you do. Number two is to realize how important that other people are in your success. I mentioned my collectors and how their belief in me early on helped me stay true to my goals. Thanks to Kathy C. and all those who helped put on the two-day conference.
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| Susan Bingham introduces Roland Lee |
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| Roland Lee gives keynote address at 2021 Business of Art Conference |
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| Roland Lee - Business of Art Conference |
I was treated like royalty at the Arts and the Park Light on the Reef event in Capitol Reef. I enjoyed making a Keynote presentation called "Getting the Most from Plein Air Painting" to a group of wonderful artists and guests. I was able to sell all five plein air paintings I did at Capitol Reef as well as three other studio pieces which were part of my display. What an honor.
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| I sold 8 paintings at Arts and the Park |
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| Plein air painting at Capitol Reef National Park |
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| Making a Keynote presentation at Arts and the Park |
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| Roland Lee plein air painting at Capitol Reef National park |
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| Roland Lee watercolor plein air painting at Capitol Reef |
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| We are guests at the little restored pioneer home owned by Dawn House. |
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| Roland Lee explains how to find the best views. |
What a wonderful three days we enjoyed in Mt. Carmel Utah at the Maynard Dixon Legacy Plein Air Workshop with Roland Lee. Two days of sun, and one day of cool rain set the tone for this experience. I was joined by 14 other excellent artists who dove in to their paintings with enthusiasm. We are grateful to Paul and Susan Bingham of the Thunderbird Foundation for hosting us at their beautiful Maynard Dixon Legacy Museum. Nellie and I were able to lodge in the lovingly restored Maynard Dixon Home which was a highlight for us. On the rainy day we painted in the Edith Hamlin studio where she completed some of her wonderful paintings after Dixon's death. The property was purchased by famed watercolorist Milford Zornes who held watercolor workshops there for a number of years.Thanks to Margo Cook, Dixie Stoddard, and Diane Stephenson for creating wonderful breakfasts for us each day, and to Melissa Griffiths for our fabulous "Garden to table" dinner one night. What a delightful group of people to spend a week with.
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| View from the Maynard Dixon Property in Mt. Carmel Utah |
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| Roland Lee doing a watercolor demo of an old barn |
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| Roland Lee and watercolor workshop group |
I was thrilled to rub shoulders with watercolorists I admire, and meet wonderful new collectors at the group show "The River Flows -- Watercolorists of the American West." The show is a result of the new book by the same name produced by Marlin Rotach and Don Weller, which traces the use of watercolors by many revered artists of the west.
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| Marlin Rotach, Jim House, William Matthews, Cha Cha and Don Weller, Roland Lee and Kathy Sigle. |
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| Barbara Nelson with Roland Lee and the painting she purchased at Phippen Museum |
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| PBS Utah filming video of Roland Lee painting in Zion |
Check out this 360 degree video short featuring Roland Lee painting in Zion. It celebrates the spring 2022 release of Call of the Canyon, Zion National Park, a one-hour PBS Utah documentary celebrating Zion's native legacy, history, and dazzling landscapes that have inspired generations of visitors and artists. Woven throughout the story of Zion National Park are glimpses at artists and their works inspired by the area — from Paiute Indian Tribe artisans to 19th and early 20th century photographers and painters, including Thomas Moran and Maynard Dixon. The park comes alive through interstitial artistic journeys with painters Kate Starling, Roland Lee, folk musician Hall Cannon of 3 Hattrio and cowboy poet Waddie Mitchell. Viewers experience first-hand how Zion National Park sparks a uniquely human creative response.
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| PBS Utah film crew with artist Roland Lee in Zion National Park |
Plein Air Magazine's online American Watercolors Weekly featured a nice spotlight on Roland Lee and his paintings in the September 1, 2021 issue. Included in the article were six images of Roland Lee Studio, four of his recent watercolor paintings and an image taken during the filming of a new PBS Utah special "Call of the Canyon - Zion National Park" on Artists in Zion.
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| Sentinel Shadows 22 x 30 watercolor |
In an article called "Watercolors of the West," Art of the West magazine featured a Roland Lee painting "Sentinel Shadows" in the October 2021 issue. The article was about the upcoming "River Flows - Watercolorists of the American West" show running October 1, 2021 to February 6, 2022 at the Phippen Museum in Prescott AZ. Roland Lee is one of the 14 western artists who will be included in the show.
