Thursday, April 23, 2015

Collectors Purchase Two More Original Roland Lee Paintings

Roland Lee (left) with Linda and Ken Crandall who purchase three of Roland Lee's paintings.
A few weeks ago, I was invited by Soltis Investment Group to do a live outdoor painting demonstration in Zion National Park for a Zion Canyon Field Institute gathering. It was a fun and intimate experience with a lively and interested group of people. Two of the attendees, Ken and Linda Crandall expressed interest in my demonstration painting and after a visit to LaFave Gallery in Springdale purchased two additional paintings. It is fun to get to know my collectors and spend time with them. I was also able to meet and share art ideas with their daughter Kimberly Crandall, who is a high school art teacher. Thank you Linda, Ken, and Kim.
"Ripples along the Virgin River" watercolor by Roland Lee 
"Springtime in Zion" Plein Air watercolor by Roland Lee


Sunday, April 12, 2015

Roland Lee Drawing and Sketch Book Journaling Workshop

Roland Lee Drawing Class in St. George Utah
Learning to see edges as value changes
Eight accomplished artists joined together for my April class on Sketchbook drawing and journaling. It was a fun experience with some quality art produced. We started in the studio with a powerpoint demonstration and exercises to hone our ability to see values, edges, and shapes--key elements in drawing. The techniques I taught were designed to give them the tools they need to draw anything in nature. We then went outdoors to sketch on location at Green Gate Village, a delightful place with pioneer homes, buggies, and old cars. Ed and Lindy Sandstrom, the owners, are kind enough to allow our workshop participants to sketch there frequently. Those attending included: Kurtis Larsen, Mark Rose, Peggy Hackney, Elsa Howard, Sharon Bunderson, Shari Cannon, Yvonne Hatton and Carol Lopacinski.
Gathering for a group photo at Green Gate Village during Roland Lee Drawing Workshop
Carol Lopacinski getting ready to sketch at Green Gate Village
Kurtis Larsen working in his sketch book at Green Gate Village

Shari Cannon sketching on the lawn at Green Gate Village in St. George Utah
Artist Mark Gunn Rose drawing on location in his Watson Guptill Sketchbook

Peggy Hackney finds a comfortable place to sketch during Roland Lee Drawing Workshop in St. George

Elsa Howard, Peggy Hackney and Shari Cannon in the studio during a Roland Lee Drawing Workshop at A Passion for Painting

Sharon Bunderson, Yvonne Hatton, and Kurtis Larson in Roland Lee Drawing Workshop


Sunday, April 05, 2015

Looking Back 35 Years to Art West Magazine

Irene Emett presents Roland Lee with a 1981 copy of Art West magazine which featured Roland's work as a new artist.

What a fun experience I had yesterday at the St. George Art Festival. A wonderful old friend Irene Emett stopped by my display with her family and presented me with a 1981 copy of "Art West" magazine that had a nice article on my paintings. She had purchased it while living in Montana and first became acquainted with my paintings. Later she moved to Veyo, Utah to live near her family and found out I was living in nearby Dammeron Valley. What was more fun, I was her Bishop in the LDS church. So we became personal friends. Well, I never knew about the magazine until she told me the story yesterday. Back in 1981, after a sell-out show at the Phippen Memorial show in Prescott Arizona, I was "discovered" by Art West magazine and they did a wonderful feature article on my work. It really helped my career as a new western artist. Wow, it's fun looking back, and it's great to have such good friends!
A 1981 issue of Art West Magazine with a feature article on artist Roland Lee

Friday, April 03, 2015

Sold! Painting Sales at St. George Art Festival

Art Collector Rachel Carignan and artist Roland Lee

"Pine Valley Autumn" original watercolor by Roland Lee 
Art Collector Rachel Carignan purchased my new painting "Pine Valley Autumn." Rachel has collected many other Roland Lee original watercolor paintings in the past. She was on hand at the presentation of my "Excellence in Art" award last night and picked up the painting today at the St. George Arts Festival. Thanks to all who stopped by my display today, and those who attended he award presentation last night at the City Council meeting.
Ken Andersen purchased two paintings from Roland Lee at the 2015 St. George Art Festival