Thursday, May 31, 2007

The Art of Communication - Article in Spanish Publication

Roland Lee (right) converses with artist Guadalupe Rodriguez from Stylecraft about a framing order

Roland Lee (right) converses with artist Guadalupe Rodriguez from Stylecraft about a framing order. Photo and article by Kevin Jenkins.

Article about Roland Lee in El Sol Spanish language publication published by the Spectrum newspaper. Written by Kevin Jenkins.

Piedad Hayashi (left) and Victor Enriquez visit the St. George Art Museum where Roland Lee discusses his current show "Roland Lee's Canyon Country." Photo by Kevin Jenkins of the Spectrum

El Sol, St. George's Spanish language publication published an article about my interests in both art and as an English teacher. Since last summer I have served as voluteer director of the "Daily Dose" english language program. We meet two nights a week to help people gain conversational skills in the language. I have met and befriended hundreds of Latinos in that time, but they don't know me as an artist, just as their "maestro" (teacher).

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Painting of The Old Rock Church at Cedar City

Roland Lee watercolro Painting of the Old Rock Church in Cedar City Utah

Sketch book drawing of Old Rock Church in Cedar City Utah by Roland LeeBuilt in the 1930's by local volunteers The Rock Church is perhaps one of the most familiar buildings in Cedar City. Although the architecture appears European, all the materials used to build it are local including a variety of colored rock found nearby. It is still used today as place of worship but is also open for visitors as a museum.

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Spring Creek Hike near Kanarraville

The canyon walls have been carved into wonderful sculptural forms by water and weather over countless years

Barb dn Gwen pose as we begin to enter the narrow part of the canyon on Spring Creek TrailYesterday I was invited to join my sister-in-law Barbara Aikens and a few of her friends for a short hike up Spring Creek Trail above Kanarraville. The weather was perfect and the wildflowers were in bloom as we started the hike. After following the creek for a short while we began to wind our way into a narrow slot canyon with high carved sandstone walls. The reflected light cast a warm glow on the walls and the canyon floor.
The reflected light in the slot canyon casts a red glow on Larry and Gwen as they examine the rock formations
Larry and Gwen discuss the weathered rock formations as they rest in the cool shade of the sandstone canyon

Roland Lee drawing of arch near Red Cliffs CampgroundSince I left early, I had time to run by Quail Lake to check out the fishing, and stopped to do this little sketch of the arch near Red Cliffs that you can see clearly from the north end of the Lake.

Roland Lee drawing of trailhead to Spring Creek near KanarravilleWhile waiting for the group to arrive I sketched this drawing of the entrance road to the trailhead.

Friday, May 25, 2007

Painting the Old Rock Church in Cedar City

Roland Lee sketch book drawing of the Old Rock Church in Cedar City, Utah
Yesterday I was interviewed for an article in St. George Magazine dealing with my paintings of southern Utah's history. I am fascinated by the pioneer history of this area that I call home, and have done numerous paintings which deal with that subject.
Right now I am working on a painting of the Old Rock Church in Cedar City. I've been over there a couple of times to do research work on it, and get some sketches.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Petroglyph Drawings at Parowan Gap

Parown Gap petroglyph drawings by Roland Lee
On my way back from Salt Lake City yesterday I took a wide swing out to Minersville, then down to the Parown Gap to see the petroglyphs. The varnish walls over a large area were chipped out into a myriad of designs by ancient inhabitants of the land, presumably from the Fremont or Southern Paiute cultures. At any rate they were done long before Ute Chief Walker told the Mormon Pioneers the place was called "God's Own House." No one knows for sure the meaning of the inscriptions.Roland Lee sketchbook drawing of Parowan Gap in southern Utah The Parowan Gap was used by early Mormon Pioneer explorers as a route from northern to southern Utah. In 1850 an exploration group discovered the Indian petroglyphs at Parowan Gap and clerk/historian Robert Campbell copied some in his journal.

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Visiting the Art Museum with my Latino Friends



Kevin Jenkins interviewed me today for an article in the Spanish publication "El Sol." My two friends, Piedad and Victor, came to the St. George Art Museum to see my Canyon Country exhibit. Victor is an artist in woodworking, and Pili is an expert in the culinary arts from my favorite Mexican Restaurant "Irmita's." I am the volunteer director of the local "Daily Dose" English language program for Latinos and enjoy associating with many wonderful people at our Tuesday and Thursday evening classes. I consider every one the students and maestros my personal friends.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Frederick Dellenbaugh Painting of Zion in 1903

Roland Lee painting of West Temple, Zion National Park, and newly acquired painting by Frederick Dellenbaugh painted in 1903 of Zion National Park area

Above: Lyman Hafen, Executive director of Zion Natural History Association and Leslie Courtright, Curator of Collections at Zion National Park, stand beside the newly acquired painting by Frederick Dellenbaugh. On the wall behind is a painting of Zion by Roland Lee which is also a part of Zion's permanent collection.

The Zion National Park Foundation, of which I am a board member, was able to buy at auction a wonderful historically significant painting by Frederick Dellenbaugh this week. Through a generous donation from the Eccles Foundation we acquired the piece from an art and antique auction in Knoxville Tennessee. We in turn will donate the piece to the permanent collection of Zion National Park. We're especially excited because we are developing an art exhibit for the 100 year anniversary of Zion Park in 2009. The painting, completed about 1903, depicts Zion National Park from the canyon floor about where Springdale is today.

1903 painting by Frederick Dellenbaugh painting of Zion National Park

1903 painting by Frederick Dellenbaugh of Zion National Park

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Two Paintings Juried into the Utah Watercolor Society Exhibit

Peaceful Canyon watercolor by Roland Lee Two of my paintings were selected for the Utah Watercolor Society Fall Juried Exhibit in Salt Lake City. The show runs through May 31, 2007.
Ready to Spin, watercolor painting by Roland Lee

Monday, May 14, 2007

Under the Rim at Bryce Canyon National Park

Thors Hammer at Bryce Canyon Ntional Park sketch book drawing by Roland Lee
Photo of Bryce Canyon National Park by Roland Lee
Roland Lee sketching on Calf Creek

On the way over from Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon National Park, we took the scenic route around Boulder Mountain, stopping for lunch in the pines, and for a quick dip in Calf Creek where I did a little more sketching. We arrived at Bryce in time to get some day's end photos at Sunset Point and do a little sketching at the overlook. Roland Lee sketching at Sunset Point in Bryce Canyon National ParkWe set up our tent in the Sunset Campground and connected with my brother in law, Professor Robert Eves from Southern Utah University, and their group of about 25 honor students from universities across America. They will be spending a week at Bryce, some having never even camped before.
Photo of Bryce Canyon National Park by Roland Lee
On Saturday morning we introduced the group to Bryce with a stop on the rim, which nearly blew their collective minds. The view is staggering. But they really had wide eyes when we hiked them under the rim into "Wall Street".Honor Students explore Wall Street at Bryce Canyon National Park Although this is one of the most popular trails it was closed due to a massive rockfall sealing off the passage at the bottom. An example of erosion in action. But we scrambled over the rock fall where Dr. Eves and Gale Pollock, two of the most knowledgeable geologists on this area explained what created this amazing land. For me it was one of the best park experiences I've had.



SKETCHBOOK AT CAPITOL REEF

Roland Lee sketch book drawing of Panorama Point at Capitol Reef

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Lake Powell Sketching Trip

Robert Eves' bass boat

Roland Lee with 24 inch Striper at Lake PowellOkay, I admit it, this is more of a fishing trip than an art trip, but my sketch book will be with me at all times. We leave in the morning to hook up with my son Jon Lee and my brother in law Robert Eves at Lake Powell for a couple of days. Robert is bringing his bass boat which will put us in range of some great photo reference for paintings and some great fishing locations also. What could be better than that?

Roland Lee sketchbook drawing of Lake Powell

Saturday, May 05, 2007

Sketching with my grandson Matthew Cherry

Matthew Cherry in his painting studio
Roland Lee and grandson Matthew Cherry sketching in HoustonWe flew down to Houston Texas yesterday to spend a few days with my daughter Jana, husband Phil, and grandkids Mattie and Katelyn. Today we took it easy and just enjoyed our time with the grandkids. We visited the Houston LDS Temple, a cool park, and old town Spring. I did a little sketching in my travel sketchbook and Mattie added a few drawings of his own. His drawings are pretty amazing for a three year old. He has his own school and art room in their house and the walls are plastered with his artistic creations. Jana knows what budding artists need--encouragement, art tools, and plenty of paper.Matthew Cherry does some on-location sketching with grandpa Roland Lee

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Lisa Huber Article in 15 Bytes eZine

Roland Lee in his St. George art studio courtesy of 15 Byytes magazine. Photo by Lisa Huber.

Roland Lee in the studio. Photo courtesy of 15 Bytes eZine. Photo by Lisa Huber.

Thanks to Lisa Huber who did a good job profiling me for the Utah artists eZine "15 Bytes" which came online today. Shawn Rossiter has been publishing the eZine for some time and has given widespread and much-needed coverage to the burgeoning Utah arts scene. The front page article, "Roland Lee: A Love of Art and Teaching" in the May 2007 issue, includes about six photos showing me in my studio and my work at the current St. George Art Museum show, "Roland Lee's Canyon Country Paintings."

View complete article

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Sketching at our Cabin at Zion National Park

Roland Lee's Rocking R cabin at East Zionsketch book drawing by Roland Lee of Ponderosa Pine TreeFollowing the Zion National Park dedication ceremony and speech by Laura Bush we drove on up the mountain to our cabin at East Zion. After the rush of security and crowd at Zion we enjoyed the complete privacy and solitude of our hideway in the Ponderosas. Following a little clean-up work on the cabin we kicked back and relaxed.

Roland Lee sitting in his favorite sky chairMy favorite pastime is sitting in my Sky Chair and sketching in my sketchbook. Nellie lies in the lounge chair and reads. Aaah, perfect weather, peace, and quiet--this is the life!