Highway 89 Art Show at Maynard Dixon property this weekend

Roland Lee painting at Maynard Dixon property Art Show

Roland Lee painting at Maynard Dixon property Art Show

Roland Lee painting at Maynard Dixon property Art Show

Roland Lee painting at Maynard Dixon property Art Show

You are invited! The Plein Air Painters of Utah, of which I am a member, will be presenting "Art on Highway 89" at the Maynard Dixon property. The show starts Friday July 14, 2023 and runs through August. There will be a special reception July 14 at 5pm. I will be painting en plein air at the Thunderbird Dixon Legacy Gallery on Saturday July 15.

Roland Lee painting wins Best Western in Plein Air Salon May 2023

 My painting "Patiently Waiting" was named the winner in the "Western" category of the May 2023 Plein Air Salon. My painting "Alone Again" was awarded Honorable Mention in the same competition. I was thrilled that four of my paintings out of 697 entries were named to the Top 100. The juror was Joe Anna Arnett. Thank you Kari Stober and Plein Air Magazine. Click here for news release from PleinAir magazine.

"Paitently Waiting" by Roland Lee announced Winner in Western Category May 2023 Plein Air Salon

Roland Lee paintings in PleinAir Salon Top 100

Four Roland Lee Watercolor paintings were selected in 
the Top 100 of the May 2023 PleinAir Salon

Four Roland Lee paintings were entered in the PleinAir Salon monthly competition and out of 697 entries four of my paintings were selected in the Top 100. 19 countries were represented in the competition. The juror was JoeAnna Arnett.  The paintings were "Alone Again," "Patiently Waiting," "Soft and Quiet," and "Winter Wood." 

Centennial Painting for Bryce Canyon National Park

It was an honor to be commissioned to paint a special painting for Bryce Canyon National Park's Centennial Celebration. I was invited to unveil my painting at the ceremony on the edge of Bryce Canyon June 2023. Utah governor Spencer Cox was present at the ceremony.

Bryce Canyon Association Director Gayle Pollock and Roland Lee unveil Roland's painting at the 2023 Centennial Celebration at Bryce Canyon National Park.

Roland Lee Painting Awarded to outgoing Zion Forever Project CEO Lyman Hafen

Natalie Britt, Lyman Hafen, and Jeff Bradybaugh

Retiring CEO of the Zion Forever, Project Lyman Hafen, was awarded an original Roland Lee painting at a special gathering in Salt Lake City. The painting of Zion National Park was purchased due to the kindness of a private donor. On hand to present the award was current CEO Natalie Britt, Zion Park Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh, Zions Bank president Scott Anderson and others.

Plein Air Painters of Utah Highway 89 Show Underway in Brigham City UT

Shanna Kunz chats with others at the opening of Highway 89 PAPU show
Roland Lee paintings displayed on the wall

The Plein Air Painters of Utah special traveling show Highway 89 "Art on the Highway" is underway,
Is is kicking off during the Brigham City Arts Festival at the Hive.  The paintings represent locations along Highway 89 that runs through Utah from top to bottom. It will be exhibited at four locations during 2023 and 2024.
“Art on Main“, May 26 – June 7, 2023 Brigham City UT
Brushworks Gallery, June 15 – July 1, 2003 Salt Lake City UT
Thunderbird Foundation Gallery in Mount Carmel from July 14 – Aug 11.
Springville Art Museum November 15, 2023–March 2024 Springville UT

Paintings by Roland Lee and Spike Ress at the Highway 89 show opening

Roland Lee painting of the Maynard Dixon living history museum

So Much Fun Painting With My Kids

 Three of my five kids joined me in my painting studio today. They are getting so good, it is just wonderful. We are planning on having a group show at my studio in October. Watch for it.

Painting lesson in Roland Lee Studio

Jon Lee, Jim Lee, Roland Lee and Jana Lee Cherry in my studio.

Studio Visit from Another Artist

 I appreciated the visit from Gene and Lorna Grochowski at my studio recently. Lorna is an artist and after a nice art talk she decided to take home a little painting. Thank you Lorna.

Lorna Grochowski buys Roland Lee original of Zion National Park

Highway 89 Plein Air Painters of Utah Traveling Exhibition

 The Plein Air Painters of Utah, an exclusive outdoor painting group will hold an exhibition called "Art on the Highway 89." I am excited to have 5 of my Roland Lee paintings in that exhibit which will tour four different galleries and museums in Utah from May 2023 through March 2024.

"Art on the Highway 89"

Roland Lee painting the Maynard Dixon Property Studio en plein air

Roland Lee sitting in Maynard Dixon's favorite chair in the studio

Roland Lee painting of the studio at Maynard Dixon Property in Mt. Carmel

Roland Lee painting of the Maynard Dixon Home in Mt. Carmel UT

American Watercolor Society Exhibit

At the Feet of Angels watercolor by Roland Lee

 I was pleased that my painting "At the Feet of Angels" was chosen by jurors Tim Gaydos and Stephen Quiller to be exhibited in the 2023 Associate Members online show of the American Watercolor Society. 

April Master Class

 Another great master class helped round out a beautiful month in Utah. We have had so much rain and snow that we thought spring would never come. But, gratefully, it arrived in time for our class. Connie Madsen and her granddaughter Heather came, along with Margo Cook and Shari Cannon. We took advantage of our new neighbor the "Selfie Studio" to take a group shot. 

Roland Lee master class April 2023

Imogene Dewey, age 92, visits my studio

I am always so grateful to my collectors who continually support me and my work. Imogene Dewey had seen my work on the internet and followed my painting videos  for years. At age 92 she came all the way from Lake Charles Louisiana with her son to visit me in my Utah studio. What a pleasant visit we had, and she just had to take home a little painting with her.

Imogene Dewey, age 92 visits my studio

Student Art Show Reception

 I attended the Utah Tech art department senior art show April 14 and enjoyed seeing a variety of excellent art pieces. A shoulder-shoulder crowd made studying the works difficult, but it was great to see such a good turnout at the event. I helped mentor one of the graduates, April Frost, who presented a beautiful ensemble of four watercolor landscape paintings. i purchased one of them, and two others sold before the night was over, creating a buzz of excitement in the room. Congratulations to McGarren Flack, Del Parson, and Dennis Martinez who instructed these students.

Art student April Frost and Roland Lee stand in front of the painting he purchased from her.

Off the Wall! Roland Lee Paintings Sold

 I am grateful to Joe McMullin who visited my art gallery today and left with two paintings. He selected an acrylic painting and a watercolor, "Desert Juniper" and "Creekside" for the personal collection of he and his wife Julie. I am ever grateful to wonderful collectors like Joe and Julie.

Desert Juniper and Creekside paintings sold by Roland Lee

Dictionary of Utah Fine Artists - Review by Roland Lee

A hefty new book has just been released by Gibbs Smith called "The Dictionary of Utah Fine Artists." It is a huge compilation of literally thousands of fine artists living in, or associated with the state of Utah. There has been nothing this comprehensive published in the past. I enjoyed going through every page and reviewing the many talented fine artists including the deceased masters as well as talented up-and-coming new fine artists. Of course I am happy to be included in such a book. It was compiled by Vern G. Swanson, Donna L. Poulton, Angela Swanson Jones, and Micah J. Christensen with sponsorship  from Clayton R. Williams and the Springville Museum of Art.

Doctoionary of Utah Fine Artists includes artist Roland Lee

Painting at Maynard Dixon's Home and Edith Hamlin Studio

 I have visited the Maynard Dixon property in Mt. Carmel many times and conducted a plein air workshop there. Feeling the vibes from staying in the Maynard Dixon home and conducting my classes in the Edith Hamlin studio was a great experience. Paintings of the Dixon property will be part of the Highway 89 traveling show sponsored by the Plein Air Painters of Utah.

Roland Lee painting of Maynard Dixon Home

Roland Lee sitting in Maynard Dixon's favorite chair

Roland Lee Plein air painting at Maynard Dixon property in Mt. Carmel UT

Art on the Highway - Plein Air Painters of Utah

Highway 89 Show Includes Maynard Dixon Studio Painting by Roland Lee

 Roland Lee will participate in the special "Highway 89" show which will begin a tour in May 2023 of Utah's important museums from the top of the state to the bottom. Roland Lee's painting of Maynard Dixon Studio will be a part of the exhibit. The studio was mainly used by Dixon's wife Edith Hamlin and is still in use today as part of the Maynard Dixon Legacy Museum run by Susan Bingham and the Thunderbird Foundation. The Highway 89 Show is organized by the Plein Air Artists of Utah group.

Studio at Maynard Dixon Home at Mt Carmel, Utah by Roland Lee

Watercolor Students Visit Roland Lee Studio and Gallery

 I had a fun time with a group of young artists who visited my studio recently. All were students of Sean Rowley's watercolor class at Utah Tech University. The class was divided into two groups of eight, and I discovered that all were very eager to learn and also very talented artists. I surprised them by inviting them to pick up a brush and help me on my current painting. 

April Frost paints on my current watercolor painting

Sean Rowley's college watercolor students visit the Roland Lee Studio

Dixie Watercolor Society Workshop

 It's been a few years since I last taught at watercolor workshop to a large group. So I was due to help out the Watercolor Society. We had 21 students and I presented three demonstrations and some PowerPoint instruction as we worked together on some paintings. The class was super, and I was very pleased with the work. 

Workshop organizer Bill Sherwin assists with critique

A choice group of artists and friends

Roland Lee Workshop at the Escalante Canyons Plein Air Festival

Roland Lee will be teaching a workshop at the Escalante Canyons Plein Air Festival September 21-22, 2023. The cost is $200. I will be demonstrating in watercolors but all mediums are welcome.  Register Here

Roland Lee plein air painting in Zion

"This Immense Prodigality of Color" Lyman Hafen and Roland Lee

March 16, 2023 7pm Bumbleberry Inn Theater, Springdale Free event
Lyman Hafen and Roland Lee share the stage for this presentation.
For more than a century, writers and artists have been telling the story of Zion National Park in word and image. Join these two long-time chroniclers of Zion for an evening of history and beauty. Sponsored by Zion Canyon Mesa and Zion Forever Project.

Lyman Hafen and Roland Lee at the Bumbleberry Inn Theater

Julie Rogers Watercolor Painting Demonstration

 We were thrilled to have noted artist Julie Rogers give us a watercolor demonstration at the monthly meeting of the Dixie Watercolor Society in St. George UT. Julie recently won Best of Show at the AIS American Impressionist Society, so we were honored to have her demonstrate. The Dixie Watercolor Society now has 159 members.

Julie Rogers demonstrates for the Dixie Watercolor Society

Master Painting Class for My Kids

 It is so much fun to belong to a painting family. My sons Jim Lee and Jon Lee have been painting for some time, and have won many awards. Now they have been joined by my daughter Jana who is also becoming a respected watercolor painter. All three of them joined me for a special day-long workshop at my studio. What a thrill to see them all working so hard to develop their craft.

Roland Lee with Jon Lee, Jim Lee, and Jana Lee Cherry at a watercolor workshop in Roland Lee Studio in St. George UT.

Plein Air Salon Top 100 Roland Lee

 I was pleased to learn that out of 1249 entries, my painting "Desert Cowboy" was juried into the Plein Air Salon Top 100 for January 2023. The show was juried by master artist C.W. Mundy. The painting was done for my new book "The Way to Angel's Landing" which was written by Lyman Hafen and illustrated by Roland Lee

"Desert Cowboy" painting by Roland Lee

Ribbons Won and Paintings Sold at Arts and the Parks: Light on the Reef DWS Plein Air Event

I enjoyed painting with my two sons, Jim Lee and Jon Lee, at Capitol Reef for the Arts and the Parks event co sponsored by the Entrada foundation. We spent four days painting en plein air and in a two-hour quick draw on the last day. Then the paintings were displayed at Cougar Ridge Resort on Saturday where ribbons were awarded and a sale conducted. I was so pleased that all three of us not only won awards but also sold our paintings. Thanks to the Entrada group and the Utah Watercolor Society for this great annual event.

Roland Lee plein air painting at Capitol Reef

Roland Lee plein air painting at Capitol Reef

The Lee Boys strike again!

Jon Lee and Roland Lee set up their easels at Capitol Reef National Park

Jon Lee, Jim Lee, and Roland Lee all got awards

"The Way to Angels Landing" Book Signing at Deseret Book

 Lyman Hafen and Roland Lee enjoyed signing books at the St. George Deseret Book store recently. Eager purchasers lined up to have their books personalized by the author and illustrator of the wonderful new childrens' book The Way to Angels Landing.

Illustrator Roland Lee (left) and writer Lyman Hafen sign books at Deseret Book.

Zions Bank Art Show

 Thanks to everyone who stopped by the annual Zions Bank Art show to see my new work. It is a great feeling to see all the people who support our local artists. All three levels of the downtown branch of Zions Bank were filled with artists and their artworks. Thank you to Zions Bank for their continued support of our local art community.

Guests look at the paintings of Roland Lee at Zions Bank Art Show

Plein Air Utah Rendezvous a Success

 I enjoyed spending this past week in Midway Utah painting outdoors, demonstrating watercolor techniques and rubbing shoulders with a lot of good artists. In the end I sold three paintings and brought home two. 

Daniel Bedel purchased one of my paintings

Another Painting Sold

Thanks to M. Cirzan from Las Cruces, New Mexico for his purchase of "Seasons Passage" a watercolor featuring a weathered and collapsing old homestead after a snowfall. This painting was exhibited at the Utah Watercolor Society annual Spring show in 2022.

Watercolor Painting by Roland Lee "Seasons Passage"