St. George Art Festival This Weekend

I'm trying to get a few more pieces framed for the St. George Art Festival coming up this Easter weekend. Traditionally the city is packed with sun-seekers on this weekend as about 200 artists come to town and set up displays in the downtown Town Square. The show runs Friday and Saturday from 10am til 6pm. In addition to some new paintings, I will be introducing several new giclee prints of Zion National Park and Lake Powell, along with a giclee of the historic St. George LDS Temple. Most of my kids and grandkids will also be in town for a weekend of snow cones, Navajo Tacos, and face painting.
Paintings Top: Lake Powell Cliffs. Above: Icy River. Left: Temple Glory, available as a giclee print.

April Watercolor Painting Workshop

We just concluded our April Watercolor Workshop. We spent quite a bit of time on painting clouds and skies. Artists attending included Alice Hemming (Maryland), Angie Frabasilio (Rockville), Gail Alger (Springdale), Carolyn Ostler (Wyoming), Louise Crosby (St. George), Erin Boorman (St. George). This is the last workshop until Fall.

See more watercolor painting workshop photos

Robert Gardner Monument Unveiled by Sculptor Jerry Anderson

Tonight we attended the unveiling of the new Robert Gardner Monument. My good friend Jerry Anderson sculpted the image of Pioneer Robert Gardner driving the stake in 1862 identifying the center of what would become the city of St. George. That point, and the location of the sculpture is on the traffic circle at Main Street and Tabernacle.
Above: The Robert Gardner monument with the St. George Tabernacle in the background

Prior to the unveiling, Jerry Anderson was honored at a reception and dinner at the St. George Art Center along with the many artists participating in the 2009 Art Around the Corner project. Artist Matt Clark also received an award for his contributions to the art community, as well as his long-time service on the Art Around the Corner committee.


Above: The cover is removed at the unveiling of the new Robert Gardner sculpture on the roundabout at Main Street and Tabernacle in St. George

Thoughts on Turning 60

Well I finally reached the pinnacle of my life. Yep, I turned 60. Of course, just when I thought I would start getting senior discounts, they pushed the "real" senior demarcation line up to age 62. Oh well, I don't really feel much older than 59anyway. In an effort to make me feel a little better, my kids and grandkids threw a fun birthday bash over the weekend at my son Jon's home near Richfield Utah.



One of the funnest gifts was a wonderful "Tribute to Grandpa" book with thoughts and pictures from everybody about their experiences with me over the years. My grandkids and I read it together over and over.



A group hug for Grandpa Lee. The best part of the party was getting to see most of my cute grandkids and spend time with them. I'll have all of them with us over Easter weekend when Jana and her family come up from Houston.



Jon and his friend Russ invited me on a bass fishing trip to Lake Powell, and I figured I deserved a little vacation for my birthday. The weather was great, and even though the water is still too cold, we caught some nice fish, and I caught some z's in the afternoon sun. Ahhh, what a great birthday.



My grandson Travis and his friend Hayden tagged along on our fishing trip and both caught some nice fish. My son Jon holds the bass in this picture.

Visit to the Bingham Gallery in Maynard Dixon Country

The Bingham Gallery in Mt. Carmel Utah. Paul and Susan Bingham operate the gallery which is located on the art-historic site of Maynard Dixon's summer home and studio.

We took a liesurely drive from Zion National Park up Highway 89 to visit our grandkids in Annabella Utah. On the way, we stopped for a visit at the Bingham Fine Art Gallery which is located on the former Maynard Dixon Studio property at Mount Carmel, Utah. Paul and Susan Bingham are among the foremost experts on artist Maynard Dixon and each year host "Maynard Dixon Country" an invitational paint out and show at that location. In April they will co-host a similar event called "In the Footsteps of Thomas Moran." I have been invited to participate in that event and will have paintings on display at the Bingham Gallery from April 1-25, 2009. I will post more about that show later.

Hiking with the grandkids in Zion National Park

We had a board meeting of the Zion Natural History Association March 21 at Zion National Park. The meeting lasted all morning and concluded with a nice lunch. My daughter Jodi brought her three boys up for a little outdoor adventure in the canyon. After the meeting I joined them on the Pa'Rus trail where they excitedly told me about a little owl they had seen up in one of the trees. There's a lot to do in Zion for even very young children -- even kids in strollers! Hats off to all the moms like Jodi who get their kids outdoors to discover what a great place we live in.

Binghams Purchase Zion Park Painting

Glenn and Elizabeth Bingham purchased my award-winning painting "Solace at Sinawava" from the Sears Invitational art show which ended Saturday. They own a magnificent home with a 180 degree panoramic view of southern Utah's cliffs and selected the painting to grace the soaring walls of their library room. Nellie and I delivered the painting and helped hang it above the fireplace on a wall richly panelled in dark cherry wood. The painting looks magnificent in that location. It's always an honor for me to visit the homes where my paintings hang and see the joy they bring to their new owners.
See a step by step painting demonstration on this painting

Sculptor Matt Clark Gives Inspiring Presentation at St. George Art Museum

Above: Photographer/artist Gene Butera, watercolorist Roland Lee, and sculptor Matt Clark after Matt's talk at the St. George Art Museum

Sculptor Matt Clark gave an inspiring presentation at the St. George Art Museum Thursday Night. He showed how he creates welded metal sculpures from both found objects and formed steel. I have the privilege of owning one of his gorgeous pieces and love looking at its fluid lines and elegant form. Matt set out to become a rodeo cowboy but his life changed dramatically when he was paralyzed by an accident in his teens. After years of difficult therapy he regained use of his arms and upper body. He renewed his interest in welding and adapted his tools so he could work from his wheelchair. At first he created whimsical creatures with found objects but after discovering Henry Moore, his focus changed and his work developed into a fine art. He has participated in many shows and has received multiple awards for his work.

Hiking the Middle Fork of Taylor Creek

I'm outa here! With weather this great, why stay indoors? I've been working on a couple of small paintings of Zion National Park this week, and by this afternoon I was ready to get out of the studio and into the canyon. So at 3:30pm I headed up the road to Kolob Fingers section of Zion National Park and set out on the Middle Taylor Creek Trail.

Since I got such a late start I knew I'd have to push it to get back before dark, but I couldn't wait to hit the trail. Here I am standing by the familiar twin Cottonwood trees which usually frame Paria Point in photos, but in this photo they frame me. I passed a few other hikers on their way out, leaving me the last hiker on the trail. Hmmm, any mountain lion tracks?

With the temperature in the 70's I forgot I'd still run into spring snow. Up canyon the snow is still about a foot deep on the trail, which slowed me down a little. But it was really beautiful. In the background is Paria Point.

1000 foot cliffs rise on either side of the trail. As evening approaches these cliffs glow as if on fire. Even with the snow I could feel warm air coming off the big sandstone cliffs.

I made a couple of stops to sketch in my sketchbook. I managed a quick sketch of Fife Cabin which was built in the 1930's. You pass two old cabins on the four hour hike which ends at the stunning Double Arch Alcove.

SKETCHBOOK DRAWINGS FROM TAYLOR CREEK TRAIL HIKE MARCH 18, 2009

Just a few of the sketchbook drawings I did on the Taylor Creek Trail hike. All were done on location with a 6B pencil in a Watson-Guptill hardbound sketchbook.

Quick sketch of the old Fife Log Cabin. It was built in the 1930's before this area was part of Zion National Park. A couple of more big winter snows and it probably wont stand anymore.

Tucupit Point is the big formation on the left as you move down the middle fork of the Taylor Creek Trail.

Paria Point is in view from the start of the Taylor Creek Trail hike. In the late afternoon it glows a bright red from the direct sun.

Couple Celebrates 50th anniversary with Class

Marilyn and Don Stevens celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by enrolling together in my spring Sketchbook Drawing class. While some might think it a bit unusual to celebrate this way, for them it was a logical choice. It was in a college art class that the couple first met way back when, so they thought it would be fun to celebrate with "class" again after fifty years together. We all got a kick out of it, and as it turns out, they are pretty darn good artists.


Other artists attending the drawing workshop included: Paula Banos, Sharon Cannon, Brad DeMille, Alice Hemming, Karen Bettilyon, Shana Harris, Joyce Anderson, Carol Sprigg, Carolyn Ostler, and Vicki Clayton -- all great artists too.


Along with our class work we took our sketchbooks to the popular Greene Gate Village in St. George, where we spent a couple of hours sketching on location. The class did great as they wandered around The village doing quick studies of the pioneer buildings, antique buggies and cars, and historic relics from another time. There was plenty to see, and the artists shook off their shyness and got in the spirit very quickly. They came up with some great drawings, and I was really pleased with their progress.

See workshop page at www.rolandlee.com for more photos

Trip to Baltimore nets Awards at the National Parks Partners Conference

We just returned last night from a week on the east coast where we had a chance to visit the nation's capitol, take in a few museums, and attend the APPL conference in Baltimore. Unfortunately a wicked storm plastered the entire coast shortly after we arrived, shutting down the airports, the schools, and bringing daytime temperatures into the teens. It was coooold! But undaunted we carried on.

MULTIPLE AWARDS FOR CENTURY OF SANCTUARY, THE ART OF ZION NATIONAL PARK

ZNHA board chairman Nick Jorgenson, Executive Director Lyman Hafen, and Vice Chairman Roland Lee display awards received from APPL

The main focus of our trip was the Association of Partners for Public Lands (APPL) Conference in Baltimore. As vice-chairman of The Zion Natural History Association and Zion National Park Foundation, I attended the conference with a group of staff and board members. We were thrilled to receive association awards for the "Century of Sanctuary, Art of Zion National Park" art show and book project which we developed for the Zion Centennial this year. It was an amazing cooperative effort of the National Park Service, Zion Natural History Association, St. George Art Museum, St. George Convention and Visitors Bureau, and other entities, so we were very pleased to be recognized.

KEN BURNS PBS FILM SERIES "THE NATIONAL PARKS: AMERICA'S BEST IDEA"

Award-winning film maker Ken Burns (left) and partner Dayton Duncan (right) meet with Roland Lee and Lyman Hafen prior to preview showing

Another highlight of the conference was a special preview showing of part of the new Ken Burns PBS documentary "The National Parks: America's Best Idea" which will air in September 2009. The week-long 12-hour film takes a new look at the beauty and magnificence of our nation's treasures through the lives of individuals whose lives were changed by their association with our public lands. Both film maker Ken Burns and his partner and writer, Dayton Duncan shared with us very moving and personal reflections on the impact this 10-year project has had on them. Burns is well-known for previous award-winning PBS projects such as "The Civil War" and "Baseball" but feels this is his best work to date.

VISITING WASHINGTON DC WITH THE MAESTRIS

Norma and Phil Maestri (sitting) with Nellie Lee at their Virginia home

Prior to the conference we enjoyed a brief visit with Phil and Norma Maestri who shared their lovely home with us in Woodbridge Virginia (We also share three wonderful grandkids). They took us on a guided tour of Washington DC where Phil works for the Department of Education. Unfortunately President Obama was too busy to see us personally, but we did get a t-shirt with his picture on it. We also enjoyed the Air and Space Museum, Natural Science Museum, and the Hirshorn Art Museum at the National Mall.


The National Air and Space Museum at the National Mall in Washington DC

New Zion Watercolor Painting of Virgin River

See a Step by Step painting demo

As the Centennial year of Zion National Park rolls forward I am concentrating my efforts on a series of paintings featuring this wonderful place. I have been working madly on this painting trying to get it completed before we leave town for a week. I am very pleased with the results, especially the drama of lights and darks in the water. Click to Learn more about this painting

OFF TO BALTIMORE

We're heading for Baltimore Maryland for a conference of the Association for Partners in Public Lands. As vice-chairman of the board of directors for the Zion Natural History Association I will join our other board and staff members for this annual affair. Luckily my wife Nellie gets to go along and we're spending a little time in Washington DC, and visiting our friends Phil and Norma Maestri. They are pretty special friends since their son Jason is married to our daughter Jennie, and we share three amazing grandkids.

Awards at Sears Art Show

I was fortunate to win awards with both of my paintings entered in the Sears Invitational Art Show which opened Friday. Held annually in the Eccles Center on the campus of Dixie State College, the show features works by over 150 invited artists from throughout the country. My painting, "Solace at Sinawava" was purchased on opening night by Glenn and Elizabeth Bingham.

Posing with my painting "Icy River" during the Sears Art Show at Dixie State College.

Painting Presented to Pastor Larson

We were able to be present at a retirement party for our friends Pastor Bernie and Alice Larson last night. The members of the New Covenant Christian Center where he has pastored for many years joined together and presented them with one of my original paintings as a going-away gift. Although not members of their church, my wife Nellie and I have enjoyed fellowshipping with them on a number of occasions, and admire the way they reach out with hands of friendship to everyone in our community. We respect them deeply and will miss them.

KAYENTA ART SHOW DRAWS A CROWD

Most years I give a painting demonstration during the Art in Kayenta outdoor art Festival held near St. George Utah each February. I took the day off this year to just enjoy the incredible scenery and chat with the visiting artists. Among my artist friends exhibiting were watercolorist Diane Adams, and her husband sculptor Doug Adams. I will be doing a watercolor presentation to Diane's Cache Valley Watercolor Group in April at Logan Utah.


The Art in Kayenta outdoor art Festival always draws a huge crowd with great art, entertainment, food, and the most incredible desert scenery on earth.

Painting my Pioneer Heritage

Last Monday I was invited by my brother Grant Lee to come to his home in Meridian Idaho to present a display and discussion of my pioneer paintings. About 30 interested people attended as I talked about my own family history and how my paintings reflected that history. The paintings included images of Kirtland, Ohio and Nauvoo, Illinois, where my own pioneer ancestors lived before coming west with the Mormon Pioneers. They eventually ended up in southern Utah where I now live and have my studio. Both my brother Grant and my older sister Andrea Conley took part sharing pioneer stories. On Tuesday we all went up to Emmett, Idaho and visited my father's gravesite. It was a choice experience to be together as a family and strengthen each other following the loss of our brother Blaine last week.

Click to View pioneer paintings

"Painting the Red Rocks" Watercolor Landscape Workshop

"Painting the Red Rocks" was the theme of my February Watercolor painting workshop. Six artists joined me for the past two days to explore sketchbook drawing on location and studio painting back in the classroom at A Passion for Painting Art Studio. This was an exceptional class and each came away with several good paintings. Artists included workshop veterans Karen Bettilyon, Shari Cannon, and Gayla Folkman, joined by workshop newcomers Brienne Brown, Bonnie Head, and Daphne Schroth.



We enjoyed the good 65 degree weather as we went outdoors and sketched on location. The students had a chance to study values in the landscape first-hand as they learned about light, form shadows, cast shadows, and reflected light on the red rocks. Back in the classroom we used the knowledge we gained on location to work up value studies prior to painting several landscapes of the southern Utah red rock country.

Photos Top: Karen Bettilyon and Shari Cannon draw in their sketchbooks. Above: Brienne Brown works on a value study prior to painting back in the studio.

New Painting of Lake Powell

I started this painting two weeks ago, but my whole world was turned upside down when my brother Blaine Lee passed away unexpectedly. Obviously my mind was not on painting as we dealt with the trauma of his death. Painting is excellent therapy I discovered, as I got back to my studio yesterday and picked up my brushes again. My mind gently slipped back into quiet reverie as I painted the slow-rolling surface reflections of the lake with its amorphous shapes bending this way and that. As I did so I remembered the many times we had spent on Lake Powell's big waters with our family. Those memories are even more precious now than before.

See a step by step demonstration of how this was painted

Purchase information on this painting of Lake Powell

A Tribute to my brother Blaine Nelson Lee Jr.

Last night we received word that my older brother Blaine Lee had passed away unexpectedly. It was a huge shock to me as I worked through the reality of what had just happened and measured the magnitude of my loss. Physically and emotionally, I felt crushed. Blaine was a friend, a mentor, an example, and a true brother in every sense of the word. He taught me to play the guitar and to love music. He helped me believe in myself and do things I would have never attempted without his guidance. He encouraged me on my life's vocation with the advice I've oft repeated to others, "Find something you love to do, and then find a way to get paid for it." Blaine's soft council and brotherly wisdom helped save my life during a time of excrutiating personal turmoil. He gave me spiritual strength in times when my heart sagged.

In later years when he faced the same challenges, I was able to be there for him. That's what brothers are for. I will miss him here, but know without doubt he lives again in a world without pain, and at this very moment is having a grand reunion with my father and grandparents. One day soon we will all be together again. Goodbye my brother, but just for now.


My widowed mother with her four children. Left to right: Roland, Grant, Blaine, and Andrea.

Kreg Harrison Sculpture Brings Back memories of "Simpler Times"

Kreg Harrison and I in his studio in Santa Clara Utah.

I'm never happier than when I can acquire a new piece of artwork to add to our collection. Today we consummated a deal with renowned sculptor Kreg Harrison and brought home a wonderful bronze sculpture called "Simpler Times." It depicts Kreg's own grandfather as a young man in Pinto Utah, bringing home a rabbit for the dinner table. His single shot rifle and faithful companion are by his side. When I saw the piece it reminded me of my own son Jonathan who spent his childhood wandering the hills of Dammeron Valley with my old single shot 22 and a Brittany he raised from a pup. Today Jon lives in Annabella Utah where he raises hunting dogs, game birds, and six kids. I will treasure this new sculpture which will always bring back memories of "simpler times."

Red Desert Wonder New Painting

I was inspired to do this painting after a hike last week in the desert foothills of St. George. My favorite time to wander the desert is during the last hour of sunlight when the red cliffs light up with the last rays of the sun.

"Red Desert Wonder" step by step watercolor painting demonstration

Advanced Watercolor Painting Class

My January watercolor painting class was very special. I enjoyed spending two days with three excellent upper-level artists who pretty much outclassed their teacher in all of their paintings. I did three watercolor demonstration paintings showing watercolor techniques that were common to both desert paintings and snow scenes. Since it was an advanced group we also had the chance to discuss in-depth the specific chemical and physical characteristics of watercolor pigments -- definitely an advanced topic I wouldn't share with less experienced artists.
Photos: Top - Karen Bettilyon, Above - Shari Cannon, left - Gayla Folkman

For the Beauty of the Land

Sometimes a guy just has to get away to think. I had one of those times yesterday afternoon as I stole away for a quick hike in the desert. The winter sun was warm but the air was still crisp from the recent snow. The red desert sand stood in stark contrast to the clear blue sky and the snow-covered peaks of Pine Valley Mountain off in the distance. I often find myself stunned by the perfect beauty of God's creations and feel like more than a casual observer as I walk among them. What a beautiful place this is. I am thankful for my time here.

Snowy weekend results in Icy River Painting

Boy, it's been cold in Utah the past couple of weeks and we've had more than our share of snow. Over the weekend we travelled to Annabella Utah, near Richfield, for a big Holiday party with my kids and grandkids. It was cold, but didn't stop us from enjoying the snow. When I got back to the studio I launched into this painting of a scene along the Fremont River with the sun casting long blue shadows across the snow.

See Step-by-step watercolor painting demonstration on this painting