Roland Lee has become nationally known for his transparent watercolors
of the southwest landscape, the pioneer west, and rural European scenes.
He devotes full-time to painting from his home
studio in St. George, Utah. Since 1979 Roland has concentrated
on the medium of transparent watercolor using no white, black, or opaque
paints. A graduate of Brigham Young University, he has exhibited and
won awards in over 40 invitational juried shows including the Transparent
Watercolor Society of America and Arts for the Parks Top 100. His originals
can be found in over 1000 public and private collections throughout
the United States and in several foreign countries. Roland has been
featured in "Western Art Collector Magazine", "The Artist's
Magazine" and "Art West" magazine.and his paintings have
appeared on the cover the LDS "Ensign" magazine. His work
has also been profiled in articles and gallery ads in publications such
as "Southwest Art magazine", "Art-Talk magazine",
"U.S. Art" and "Art Business News." He is included
in the books, "Splash 11, Best of Watercolor" from Northlight
Books, "Century of Sanctuary: Art of Zion National Park",
"Contemporary Western Artists" by Peggy and Harold Samuels,
"Painters of Utah's Canyons and Deserts"by Donna Poulton and
Vern Swanson, "Artists of Utah", by Swanson, and "McKittrick's
Guide to Fine Art."
Above: Conte
portrait painting of Roland Lee by Del Parson
|
1. "15
Bytes" Artists of Utah - Read
Lisa Huber's article on Roland Lee - May 2007
2. "Western
Art Collector Magazine" - Feature article October 2009
2. Interview
with Utah artist Roland Lee Retrospective
Exhibit at SG Art Museum - 1996
3. "See
the World Through Art" The Spectrum feature story by Lisa Larson
- November 2008
About Artist Roland Lee
Early Years in California
Roland L. Lee was born in southern California in 1949. As a child he enjoyed
drawing, and was influenced by the great magazine and book illustrators of
the time. He attended Brigham Young University where he studied illustration
and graphic design with William Whittaker, receiving a BA degree in art in
1971. Following graduation Roland married Nellie Rogers and returned to southern
California where he achieved early success as a designer and illustrator for
several advertising agencies. His logo designs appeared in three volumes of
the Book of American Trademarks and his work appeared on everything from billboards
to annual reports. Eventually he became the Design Director for the international
Lawry’s Foods corporation.
In Utah: From College teacher to Full-time Painter
With the birth of his first child, he and Nellie decided to begin their life
as a family in southern Utah, away from the hectic chaos of the big city.
They moved to St. George, Utah in 1973, a town originally settled by his own
pioneer ancestors. Here Roland opened a small art studio and they fell in
love with the spectacular red rock landscape and the peaceful surroundings.
In 1976 Roland sold his art studio, and accepted a fulltime job at Dixie State
College, where he taught art classes and did publication design for four years.
Later he was instrumental in founding "St. George Magazine" and
was both art director and owner for many years. However, while teaching at
Dixie College Roland became intensely interested in fine art painting and
began a serious study of the medium of transparent watercolor. A few workshops
with Osral Allred, Carl Purcell, Glen Dale Anderson, and Tom Leek helped cement
his love for watercolor and sent him permanently on the path as a fulltime
painter.
Fine Art Galleries and Art Shows
Roland Lee began exhibiting and selling his paintings in 1980 at the Heaton
Gallery in St. George, Utah and the Burk Gal’ry in Boulder City Nevada
where he was encouraged by immediate sales. At his first juried show, the
1981 George Phippen Memorial Art Show in Prescott Arizona, he was further
encouraged by winning an award and selling all of his paintings except one
on the first day of the show. In addition he was “discovered”
by several other notable galleries, and was interviewed by the “Western
Art Collector” newsletter and “Art West” magazine. Since
then Roland has exhibited and won awards in many other juried shows including
the Arts for the Parks Top 100, the Transparent Watercolor Society of America
annual, the CM Russell Show, the Western Masters Invitational, Museum of Native
American Cultures, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, and Utah Watercolor Society.
Roland Lee Original Paintings in Over 1000 Collections
Painting in a representational style, Roland uses the traditional
transparent watercolor technique, using no white or black paint, opaques,
or masking to achieve his results. He has traveled throughout the world and
has received as much acclaim for his European paintings as from his trademark
southwest landscape scenes. His work can now be found in over 1000 public
and private collections worldwide including The Springville Art Museum, Zions
Bank, First Security Bank, The Village Bank, Brigham Young University, and
the permanent collection at the museum in Zion National Park.
Publications and Magazine Articles Featuring Roland Lee
He keeps hardbound sketchbooks on all his travels, and his on-location drawings
have recently been the subject of feature articles in European Homes and
Gardens Magazine and The Artist’s Magazine. His work has
also been seen in many other major art magazines, either in gallery ads or
feature articles. Those publications include Art Talk, U. S. Art, Southwest
Art, Art West, Art Business News, Décor, and the LDS Ensign
Magazine. As a recognized artist, Roland is listed in several art journals
including Samuel’s "Contemporary Western Artists," Olpin and
Swansons’s "Artists of Utah", and "The Artist’s
Bluebook" from AskArt.com.
The Roland Lee Art Gallery in St. George, Utah
After operating a gallery from their home for many years, In 1994 Roland and
Nellie opened the Roland Lee Art Gallery in historic Ancestor Square in St.
George, Utah. With over 3000 square feet, it became one of the largest and
finest galleries in Utah over the next 8 years, showing the works of many
noted Utah painters and sculptors including Jerry Anderson and L'Deane Trueblood.
Eventually the building was purchased by Twiggs and Moore Gallery, and Roland
turned his full attentiion to his paintings. Although much smaller in scale,
Roland now maintains a painting studio at
his home in downtown St. George and his painting gallery at "The Mission
Gallery" in St. George, UT.
World Travels
During the past 12 years Roland and Nellie have travelled to many foreign
countries, keeping sketchbooks and painting on location. In 2003, Roland and
Nellie took 18 months off to serve a mission for the LDS Church in the Fresno
California mission. On their infrequent days off, Roland sketched the farms
and ranches of the Central Valley, and hiked in the Sierra Nevadas, sketching
in Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. Upon returning to Utah Roland delved
deeper into his painting, continuing his world travels and branching into
an even wider range of subjects including scenes of the South Pacific islands.
Roland currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Zion Natural History
Association, the St. George Public Arts Commission, and the Sons of the Utah
Pioneers.
Life as a Grandpa
Roland and Nellie currently make their home in St. George, Utah, where
Roland maintains a painting studio. He and Nellie have five married children
and 20 grandchildren.
EXHIBITS AND AWARDS
Click for list of previous Art Exhibits and Awards
• Zion Canyonscapes- June 1 - July 1, 2010, One Man Show - Zion National
Park Human History Museum Gallery, Utah
• 2010 Sears Invitational- Feb 1 - March 31, Dixie State College Eccles
Art Gallery, "Nature's Sculpture", and "Autumn Lake."
• Portrait of Saint George
- St. George Art Museum Jan 29 - March 2010
• Best of Show SUWS- Mesquite
Nevada Art Center, November 2009. Fall Competition Southern
Utah Watercolor Society for "Scotney Castle"
• Canyon Country - New Views
- Nov 12, 2009 - Dec 30, 2009 The Mission Gallery One man Show. Paintings
of Lake Powell, Zion National Park, and So Utah.
• Visions of Zion - Sept 26, 2009
- January 16, 2010 Juried Exhibit . Roland Lee painting "Morning
Light on the Sentinel"
• First Place Thanksgiving
Point Plein Air Festival - Sept 2009 - First Place "Quick Draw Competition"
with "Flowers and Stone."
• A New Vision for the Arts
- May 1-2, 2009 - Group show sponsored by the Mission Gallery at Santa
Clara Town Hall.
• In the Footsteps of Thomas
Moran - April 2009 - Plein Air Invitational Zion National Park. Exhibits
at Bingham Gallery, Mt. Carmel, Utah "Virgin
Beauty in Zion" and Human History Museum, Zion National Park, "Watchman
in Autumn."
• St.
George Art Festival - April 2009 - 2nd Place Watercolor
"Icy River"
• St.
George Art Museum - April 2009 - "30 Years of Festival Acquisitions."
• 2009 Sears Invitational -
Dixie State College - Second Place "Solace
at Sinawava, Honorable Mention "Icy
River".
• Tonbridge Castle Museum Collection
- Sketchbook Drawing in permanent collection at the Tonbridge Castle, Kent
England
• One Man Show - Paintings
of England and Europe 2008 - The Mission Gallery, 173 North Main, St.
George UT 84770. November 6-29, 2008 The
Spectrum article, invitation
(pdf)
• Best of Show - So
Utah Watercolor Society
Mesquite NV "Banjo Man" Best
of Show and "Ready to Spin"
Merit Award Nov 14, 2008
• Utah Watercolor Society Two-Star Exhibit - Springville
Museum of Art Sept 2008
• Best of Show - So
Utah Watercolor Society
Fall Juried Show - Zion's Bank Staircase Gallery, Aug 6 - Oct 15 2008
"Cliffs on Fire"
• Utah Arts Council Traveling Exhibit, UWS July 2008 - July 2009 "Stone
Buttress"
• Springville Museum of Art - Spring Salon, June-July 2008 - "Cliffs
on Fire" Springville Museum
of Art
• Desert Blossom Art Festival - Kayenta UT, Guest Artist Plein Air painting
demonstration, May 3, 2008
• 2008 Spring Exhibition - Utah Watercolor Society - May 15-June 16
2008, Palmer's Gallery Salt Lake City, Jerry's Artarama Award "Stone
Buttress," "Banjo Man"
• St. George Art Museum - A Legacy
of Woods - April-May 2008
• New Visions - Group Show, Santa Clara May 2008 - See
ad in Southwest Art Magazine
• The Cliffs Group Show - April 2008
• Shenandoah Invitational - So. Virginia University - Third Place Watercolor,
April 2008
• St. George Art Museum - A Legacy of Water - Feb-March 2008
• Gerrard Private Art Show - Las Vegas NV March 2008
• 2008 St. George Art Festival - City of St George Art Museum Purchase
Award
• Private Art Show - Phoenix AZ Feb 2008
• Sears Invitational Art Show - Feb 2008 - Third Place Watercolor
• Paint the Parks Top 100 Competition - 2008 Toured U.S. including Grand
Canyon South Rim
• Paint the Parks Top 50 Mini Competition - 2008
• Visual Arts Association - Best of
Show October 2007 "Thawing
Out"
• Southern Utah Watercolor Society - Best of Show October 2007
• Color of the Land, Deseret News Landscape Exhibit, Museum of Utah
Art and History July 2007
• Wasatch Plein Air Paradise Competition - Merit and Purchase award
- July 2007
• Utah Watercolor Society Spring Juried Show - May 2007
• Shenandoah Invitational - So. Virginia University - Third Place Watercolor,
April 2007
• St. George Art Museum - One man show "Roland Lee's Canyon Country
Paintings" Mar 30 - July 7, 2007
• Phippen Museum Winner's Circle - May 2007
• Sears Invitational Art Show - Second Place Watercolor, February 2007
• 8th Annual Art in Kayenta – Demonstrating Artist - February
2007
• The Mission Gallery - Group Show, February 2007
• Best of Show Lucky 13 International Small Works Competition - Mesquite,
Nevada Dec. 2006
• Arts for the Parks Top 200 - Jackson, WY Sept 2006
• Arts for the Parks Top 100 Mini Show - Jackson, WY Sept 2006
• Feature article in "The Drawing Board" magazine May 2006
• Southern Utah Watercolor Society – Best of Show, May 2006
• Utah Watercolor Society – Merit Award, Park City, Utah May 2006
• Dixie State College Faculty Showcase - Featured Artist – April
2006
• Saint George Art Festival – Council Award, St. George, UT April
2006
• Shenandoah Invitational – 2nd Place Watercolor, So. Virginia
University April 2006
• Sears Invitational Art Show - Honorable Mention, February 2006
• One Man Show - The Watercolor Gallery, Laguna Beach CA Nov 2005
• Shenandoah Invitational – Southern Virginia University April
2005
• Color of the Land - Deseret Morning News Juried exibit July 2005
• Feature article in "The Artist's Magazine" March 2005
• St. George Spring Art Festival – Featured Artist, Poster “Desert
Blossoms” March 2005
• 6th Annual Art in Kayenta – Demonstrating Artist - February
2005
• Robert and Peggy Sears Invitational Art Show February 2005
• Cover of SkyWest/Delta Airlines in-flight magazine February 2005
• One-man show Datura Gallery October 2004
• SG Art in the Park First Place Watercolor Sep 2004
• Feature article in "European Homes and Gardens Magazine"
2003
• Inside cover "Ensign" magazine 2003
• Best of Show and Purchase Award – Robert Sears Invitational
Art Show 2003
• Library in the Park National Juried Invitational UT 2003
• Color of the Land – Deseret Morning News July 2005
• Transparent Watercolor Society of America Juried Exhibition 2002
• One man show - The Watercolor Gallery, Laguna Beach CA 2002
• Festival of the American West, UT 2002
• Days of 47 Invitational, Salt Lake City UT 2002
• Olympiad of Artists - Repartee Gallery, Provo UT 2002
• The Regional - St. George Art Museum 2002
• Robert Sears Invitational - Dixie State College 2002
• Zions Bank Collection, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, University of Utah
• St. George Marathon 1995 Poster Artist
• Museum of Native American Cultures - Spokane WA
• CM Russell Show - Great Falls Montana
• American Indian & Cowboy Artists Assn. - San Dimas CA
• Calgary Stampede Art show - Calgary, Canada
• Western Heritage Art Invitational - Denver CO (Bronze medal)
• Western Masters Invitational - Scottsdale AZ
• George Phippen Memorial Art Show - Prescott AZ ( Multiple Awards)
• Death Valley 49ers Competition - Furnace Creek CA (Multiple First
Place Award Winner)
• Sun Valley Western Art Show - Sun Valley ID
• Fort Robinson National Art Show - Crawford, NE
• Artists of Utah Invitational - Park City UT
• Southern Utah Invitational - SUU, Cedar City UT
• Utah Watercolor Society juried exhibition - Salt Lake City UT
• Dixie College Invitational - St. George UT
• St. George Arts Festival (Purchase Awards)
• Utah State Fair - Salt Lake City UT (Awards)
ART BOOKS
• Wolf, Rachel, Editor: Splash
11: Best of Watercolor - (Northlight Books Publisher, 2010).
Image "Windmill Skies"
• Poulton, Donna L. and Swanson, Vern G: Painters
of Utah's Canyons and Deserts - (Salt Lake City: Gibbs Smith
Publisher, 2009) pp.114, 228. image "Wild and Free"
• Pam Frazier, Editor. A Century
of Sanctuary, The Art of Zion National Park - (Springdale, UT, 2008)
Zion Natural History Association. pp. ix, 1, 52, 58, 102, 102-107, 120.
• Dunbier Lonnie Pierson (ed). The Artists Bluebook, 35,000 North
American Artists (AskART.com, 2005)
• Douglas D. Alder: A History of Washington County
(Springdale, UT, 2007)Zion Natural History Association. 344-345
• Olpin Robert S, Seifrit William C, Swanson Vern G. Artists of Utah.
(Salt Lake City: Gibbs Smith Publisher, 1999) p.162
• Hafen Lyman, Lee Roland. Mukuntuweap. Landscape and Story of Zion
Canyon (St. George: Tonaquint Press, 1996) Includes 40 original paintings
of Zion Canyon by Roland Lee
• Swanson Vern G; Olpin Robert; Seifrit William C. Utah Painting
and Sculpture. (Layton: Gibbs Smith Publisher, 1991) p.287
• McKittrick Rosemary. Official Price Guide to Fine Art (House
of Collectibles Publisher, 1993)
• Samuels Peggy and Harold. Contemporary Western Artists (Washington
DC, Judd’s Inc. 1982) p. 306 with photo
• Medina Danny. Arizona Artists and their Galleries (Phoenix,
AZ: The Dandick Co., 1982) p. 53
• Wolf Mirian Ross: How to Feed a Starving Artist (Missoula,
Montana: Mountain Press Publishing company, 1983) p. 137
• Mormon Arts – published by Brigham Young University
MUSEUM AND EXHIBIT CATALOGS, ART SOCIETIES'
PUBLICATIONS
• Watercolor West - Newsletter, Member News section, Winter
2009 p. 6, Peggy Minger-Cants
• SUWS Sept 2008 newsletter "Zion Landscape Workshop"
p2, by Dick Rose
• St. George Art Museum Fall 2008 Canvas newsletter
"A Century of Sanctuary" p2, 4 by Deborah Reeder
• A Century of Sanctuary, The Art of Zion National Park - Aug
25, 2008 - January 2009. Book and Catalog
with 6-pg essay "Eyes of the Beholder" by Roland Lee. Painting,
"Zion's Great Arch,"
and Painting "West Temple."
• 84th Spring Salon - May 2008 Springville Art Museum Exhibition
catalog, Painting: "Cliffs on Fire"
• St. George Art Museum April 2008 "Canvas" newsletter
A Legacy of Woods p2, 3 by Deborah Reeder. Image: "Spring's a Coming"
• American Watercolor Society - Newsletter. Winter 2008 p. 10
News of the Associates
• San Antonio Watercolor Group "Watermark" newsletter.
January 2008
• Paint the Parks Top 100 2007-08 Exhibit Catalog, Images: "Five
Minutes of Fame", "Winter in Zion."
• Watercolor West - Newsletter, Member News section, Fall
2007
• Arts for the Parks Top 100 2006 Exhibit Catalog - p. 130 Image:
"Washington's Headquarters Valley Forge"
• Watercolor West - Peggy Minger-McCants (Ed), Newsletter Spring
&Summer 2007 issues - Member News - P. 6
•Transparent Watercolor Society of America - "Clear Choices"
newsletter - Member News - Winter 2006-07, p. 6 Nia Pirnat (Ed)
• Utah Watercolor Society - Feature in Member Newsletter "April
Meeting and Workshop with Roland Lee" Utah Watercolor Society March-April
2007- By Catherine Hostetter
• The Midwest Watercolor Society - 26th Annual National Exhibition
of Transparent Watercolor. Kankakee, Illinois P. 16 Watercolor painting “Kayenta
Light” by Roland Lee
• American Indian and Cowboy Artists – 7th Annual Exhibition.
San Dimas, CA “Lazy Afternoon” watercolor painting by Roland Lee
• Western Masters Exhibit – Scottsdale AZ. Image: “Johnson’s
Barn” watercolor painting by Roland Lee
MAGAZINE ARTICLES AND FEATURES
• Western Art Collector - Feature
article State of the Art Utah, the Mission Gallery pp 53-54
• Western Art Collector - "Panoramic History, A Century
of Sanctuary:The Art of Zion National Park" - January 2009 pp. 106-111
• St. George Magazine - December 2008 - Roland Lee Art Show by
Janice Brooks
• Where It's @ - Events
Events Listings and gallery Ad for The Mission Gallery
• Pioneer Magazine - feature
article illustrated with Roland Lee painting, "Grafton School Days."
Winter 2008
• St. George Magazine - Feature articles March and April 2008
• Pioneer Magazine - Front Cover and feature
article illustrated with Roland Lee paintings. Fall 2008
• El Sol magazine - Spanish language publication - Cover Photo
and feature Article "El Arte de Comunicar" - May 24, pp. 5-7
• St. George Magazine - Feature article "Watercolor Scenes
Bring Pioneer History to Life" by Brian Passey. With photos of 8 paintings,
July 2007 pp. 70-71
• Feature article 15
Bytes Artists of Utah eZine - by Lisa Huber - 6 photos - May 2007
• Art-Talk magazine - Full-width painting "Lake Powell Panorama"
Calendar section April 2007
• St. George Magazine - Roland Lee and Nellie Lee at St. George
Art Musuem Gala, March 2007, p.
• Feature Inside St. George - Painting "Peaceful Canyon"
and article "Celebrating 10 Years in the Pioneer Center for the Arts"
- Canyon Country exhibit at St. George Art Museum, Spring 2007, p. 16
• Zion Horizons - Newsletter of Zion Natural History Association.
Feature article on Canyon Country exhibit - by Lyman Hafen - Spring 2007
• Feature article in "The Drawing Board" magazine May
2006 P. 28-32
• Cover SkyWest Magazine Jan/Feb 2005 Cover painting “Days
End at Lake Powell by Roland Lee. “Painting a Sense of Serenity.”
Feature article P.16
• The Artist’s magazine March 2005 “Capturing Memories.”
By Roland Lee pp. 42-46. Roland Lee demonstrates how to use sketchbook studies
to work up finished watercolor paintings in a five-page article
• The Ensign November 2003 Cover 3 Painting “Temple Morning”
watercolor by Roland Lee
• European Homes and Gardens magazine November 2003 “Roland
Lee, an artist with a European flair” by CJ Johnson. pp.114-118. Showcased
Roland Lee's recent travels and paintings of England, Germany, Austria, and
Switzerland.
• St. George Magazine May 2003. “20 Years of Magic.”
By Jennifer King p.50
• VIA AAA travel magazine July 2002. “Zion, Bryce Canyon,
and Capitol Reef national parks will rock your socks off.” by David
Sharp "When you see photographs of the slot canyons," says Utah
watercolorist Roland Lee, "you think, 'Oh, that picture is enhanced somehow.'
But it isn't. The light bounces from one surface to another, making the rocks
glow like neon."
• St. George Magazine March 2002. “Zion, Telling the Truth
of It.” by Lyman Hafen. p.65
• Utah Business Magazine “Around Utah”, December
2000
• Salt Lake Magazine January 1997. ”Roland Lee, Southwestern
Drama” pp.32-33
• St. George Magazine January 1997. “Pa’rus –
See What this river has wrought.” by Lyman Hafen. p.23 Springdale Section
• St. George Magazine April 1996. “Dixie’s Year-long
Party – Washington County Celebrates a Century.” by Linda Sappington.
p.15-16
• St. George Magazine September 1996. “Promised Land –
Pioneer and Modern-day perceptions of Zion Canyon.” By Lyman Hafen.
p.13
• This People Magazine “The St. George Temple” p.56
• Art Business News – Spotlight on gallery and prints
• U.S. Art Magazine - Spotlight on new gallery and prints
• The Ensign November 1992 Cover 3 Painting “St. George
Temple” watercolor by Roland Lee
• Art Scene Magazine Spring 1991. “The St. George Art Festival.”
By Cheryl Koeven p.17; “A Gallery of Artists.” P.35
• Desert Southwest Magazine Spring 1988. “April Means Art
Festival in St. George.” p.6-7
• Art West March 1982 “Roland Lee - Illustrator Turned
Illusionist.” By Pam Hait pp.56-65
• Art West September 1980 “Art News– Roland Lee,
of St. George Utah recently exhibited his works at the…” p74
• Art West December 1980 “Art News – Roland L. Lee
won the “Peoples Choice Award at the recent St. George National Invitational
Art Exhibit with his watercolor Gathering Storm.” p.80
TELEVISION AND MEDIA
• NPR (National Public Radio) Interview aired August 27, 2009 sketching
at Zion Tunnel for "All
Things Considered". Story by Howard Berkes.
• KUTV ch. 5, Live Interview at St. George Art Festival, April 7 2007,
Morning News
• KCSG ch6 Interview at St. George Art Museum, Evening news feature
on Canyon Country exhibit, April 19 2007
BOOK COVERS AND BOOK ILLUSTRATIONS
Truman G. Madsen: Joseph Smith (Deseret Book, 2010) illustration
"Newell K. Whitney Store, Kirtland Ohio"
Kristiana Gregory: Dear America: The Winter of Red Snow (Scholastic
Books 2010) Cover illustration "George Washington's Headquarters at Valley
Forge "
Robert Louis Stevenson: In The South Seas (Akasha Classics)
Cover illustration "Windswept Island."
Mayne Vivian: Lands of the Glowing Skies (Cornwall, UK: Rowe,
2007) Sketchbook illustrations of New Zealand by Roland Lee
Neilson Reid L.: From the Green Hills of England to the Red Hills of Dixie
(Provo, UT: Red Rock Publishing, 2000) Cover Painting: “Atkinville,
The Last Visit” watercolor by Roland Lee
Hafen Lyman: On the Edge of Memory (St. George, UT: Tonaquint Press,
2000) Cover Painting “Between These Ridges” watercolor by Roland
Lee
Platt Lyman: Grafton, Ghost Town on the Rio Virgin (St. George, UT:
Tonaquint Press, 1998) Cover Painting “Grafton School Days, watercolor
by Roland Lee
Hafen Lyman, Lee Roland. Mukuntuweap. Landscape and Story of Zion Canyon
(St. George: Tonaquint Press, 1996) Includes 40 original paintings of Zion
Canyon by Roland Lee
Cahoon Harold P., Cahoon Priscilla J.: Utah’s Dixie Birthplace
(St. George, UT: Published by Washington City Historical Society, CFP Books,
1996) Cover Painting: “Washington Cotton Factory” by Roland Lee
Hafen Lyman: Roping the Wind (Logan, UT: Utah State University Press,
1995) Cover painting “Roping the Wind” watercolor by Roland Lee
Crampton, C. Gregory: Ghosts of Glen Canyon: History Beneath Lake Powell
(Cricket Productions, 1994) Pen and ink historical drawings by Roland Lee
Hafen Lyman: In the Shade of the Cottonwoods (St. George, UT: Publishers
Place, Inc., 1992) Cover Painting: “Under the Cottonwoods” watercolor
by Roland Lee
Hafen Lyman: A Dixie Christmas, Stories of Christmas Past (St. George,
UT: Pulbishers Place, Inc., 1988) Pen and ink drawings by Roland Lee
NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
"Roland
Lee Set to Open New Art Exhibit -Th Spectrum, Southern Utah Life D3
"National Parks Film Starts Sunday" Quoted in article on Ken
Burns PBS film - The Spectrum - Sep 25, 2009
Invitational artists' paint out, "In the Footsteps of Thomas Moran"
at Zion National Park" - The Spectrum - April 13, 2009
"Third
Thursday Art Talk" - The Spectrum -April 13, 2009 - The St. George
Art Museum will host their next monthly 3rd Thursday Art Conversation, on
April 16 at 7 p.m. with guest artists and speakers, Jerry Anderson and Roland
Lee.
"Festival Draws Crowds" - The Spectrum -April 12, 2009
"Annual
Art Festival unfolds this weekend in the Town Square" - The Spectrum
- March 5, 2009 by Lisa Larson
"Winners of Art Show Announced" - The Spectrum - Feb 18, 2009
"Once in a Lifetime Exhibit Extended" Senior Sampler. cover December
12, 2008 by Deborah Reeder.
"Paintings of England and Europe" The Independent - 2 color photos
and article. November 2008 issue 9, p. 20
"Roland Lee Art Show Opening" - Senior Sampler- Feature Story with
color photo. Nov. 7, 2008, p 20.
"See the World Through Art" - The Spectrum - feature story by
Lisa Larson. 5 color photos. November 6, 2008, p1 Lifestyle Section
"Roland
Lee exhibit tells the story behind the art" - The Spectrum - November
6, 2008
"New Faces and Milestones" Dixie Weekly News - Cover Story, January
10, 2008 Color cover photo of mural for St. George Library. A9 article.
"Landscapes and Linguistics" The Spectrum - Neighborhoods
section, June 11, 2007 Color Cover photo and feature article by Kevin Jenkins,
p. 3
“Indulge in Art Piece by Piece.” The Spectrum, 20 March 2005.
Southwest Living Section. By Jennifer King. “Featured artist for the
2005 Art Festival is St. George resident Roland Lee with his painting, “Desert
Blossoms.”
“Roland Lee Exhibit Features South Pacific” The Senior Sampler,
29 July 2005. P1 “Vakas on the Beach is one of the South Pacific paintings
by Roland Lee.”
“Travel Down Under with Roland Lee.” The Spectrum, August 2005.
“Artist Roland Lee will present a special travel exhibit…featuring
new paintings and drawings from his recent painting trip to the South Pacific.”
“Dixie Invitational Art Show Returns.” The Spectrum, 6 February
2004. by Chris Taylor. “In From the Fields by Roland Lee was last year’s
Best of Show Winner.”
“Library in the Park now featuring National Juried Show 2004.”
The Spectrum, July 2004
“Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show Returns Valentine’s Weekend.”
The Spectrum, 6 February 2004. “In From the Fields Best of Show purchase
prize winner by Roland Lee.”
“Stroke of Creativity.” The Spectrum, 21 February 2003. Events
section
“Take a Closer Look - The Secret Is Out.” The Spectrum, 5 July
2002. “Roland Lee received the People’s Choice Award for his watercolor,
‘Symbol of Freedom’. He also received the Special Merit Award
for the same painting.”
“Backroads of America – Watercolors by Roland Lee.” The
Spectrum, 7 December 2001. Out and About section
“Holiday Original Art Show Features Paintings by 7 Top Utah Artists.”
The Spectrum, 28 November 2001, C2
“Develop a Taste for Art.” Southwest Living Datebook, 22 September,
2000 D2. “Roland Lee will have his lively landscapes of Southern Utah
and his depictions of villages abroad available as well.”
“A Window on the World - British Isles Captured by Roland Lee.”
The Spectrum, 20 August 2000. Focus C1. “While local artist Roland Lee
is best know for his Southern Utah paintings, more recently collectors have
started looking forward to Lee’s annual exhibit of works completed during
his summer travels across the Atlantic.”
“Roland Lee’s England and Ireland Paintings.” The Spectrum,
18 August 2000. D8 Southwest Living
“Footsteps of Pioneers Art Exhibit will Feature Works of Roland Lee.”
The Spectrum, 7 July 2000, D10 “Watercolor paintings by Roland Lee depicting
Utah’s history will be featured during the month of July at the St.
George LDS Tabernacle.”
“Masterpieces in Miniature.” The Spectrum, 17 December 1999. D8
Southwest Living
“Lee Introduces Giclee Prints.” The Spectrum, 11 June 1997. “Southern
Utah watercolorist Roland Lee will introduce several new historical prints
this month at the Roland Lee Art Gallery.”
“Artful Walk.” the Spectrum, Cover spotlight. 8 May 1997. “Some
of the featured art is by local artists such as Roland Lee and Max Bunnell.”
“Dixie Art Walk Takes Art to Heart.” The Spectrum, 8 May 1997.
“Lee’s art dwells on mainly landscapes of the Southern Utah area,
although he has painted in other areas of the country.”
“Businessman turns love of author into profit.” Daily Spectrum,
5 January 1996 by Scott Van Winkel. “He just bought two signed books
from Hafen and artist Roland Lee, for example that he believes have already
doubled in value.”
“The Grand Ole’ Opera.” The Senior Sampler, 15 March 1996.
“From an original watercolor painting by Roland Lee depicting the Opera
House in the late 1800’s.”
“Roland Lee and Lyman Hafen Team for New Book on Zion.” The Spectrum,
20 November 1996. B6. “Roland Lee and Lyman Hafen grew up in different
worlds but with ties to southern Utah.”
“The West Under Cover.” The Salt Lake Tribune, July 30 1995 by
Paul Swenson. Book review of “Roping the Wind”
“Local Scenes are Inspiration.” Daily Spectrum, 3 July 1995, by
Fred Ludwig “The mountain in the painting looks like one of those at
Zion National Park.”
“Pretty as a Picture.” The Spectrum, 8 August 1992. “Colleen
Harris studies a painting by Roland Lee that captured Best of Show and Judges
choice at the Washington County Fair.” Painting Great White Throne by
Roland Lee.
“Watercolor – The Magic Medium, Lecture Series.” St. George
Art Museum News, Vol 3 Winter 1992 P3
“Outstanding Young Businessman” The Spectrum 22 January 1990
“Southern Utah Artists Part of Festival” The Spectrum 10 April
1990 “Two well-established and popular southern Utah artists, Jerry
Anderson and Roland Lee will again exhibit their works.”
“Varied Styles Come Together.” Deseret News, June 1985, 2E. by
Richard Christenson, Deseret News Art Critic. Zions Bank Show, Utah Museum
of Art “Also appealing are two watercolors of Bryce Canyon by Southern
Utah’s Roland Lee.”
“St. George Art Fest Features Local Artists Jerry Anderson, Roland Lee.”
Daily Spectrum, March 1985, by Fran Sheehan
“Plans finalized for annual Pioneer Invitational Exhibit.” Daily
Spectrum, Sept, “Lee is a watercolorist who captures the drama of the
southwestern landscape and pioneer heritage through transparent watercolors.”
“Arts Council Plans Events.” Color Country Spectrum, 25 February
1983
“He Paints the Spirit of Southern Utah.” Deseret News, 18 December
1983, 2E. by Richard Christenson, Deseret News Art Critic
“St. George Festival Termed Super.” Daily Spectrum, 3 April 1983,
P11
“The Secret Place.” Deseret News, 26 April 1982, Spectra P1, by
Edward Geary
“St. George Arts Festival.” Color Country Spectrum, 9 April 1982,
Special Section
“Lee Awarded Bronze Medal.” Color Country Spectrum, 1982
“Spring in Snow Canyon.” Deseret News, 20 April 1981, Spectra
P1, by Dave Conley
“Local Artist Receives Award.” Color Country Spectrum, 22 Nov
1981
“Roland Lee – Washington County Art Scene.” Washington County
News, 7 June 1981
“Falk, Dollar nab People’s Choice Prize at Phippen.” Daily
Courier, 26 May, 1981, 3A
“Gallery to Open.”
“Artist Opens Gallery to Young, Promising Talent.” The Phoenix
Gazette, 9 September 1981, NE7 by Lynn Pyne
“Annual Western Art Show at the Burk Gal’ry This Weekend”
Boulder City News, 17 September 1981
“Mammen to Feature Western Bronzes.” The Phoenix Gazette, 28 Oct,
1981
“Mammen Gallery II Schedules Busy Month.” Arizona Art Talk, November
1981, P6
“Art News – Southwest Watercolorist Roland Lee.” The Phoenix
Gazette, Oct, 1981
“Annual Art Festival in St. George Open Three More Days.” The
Salt Lake Tribune, 5 September 1981. by Ed Rogers. “The watercolors
of Roland Lee feature the pioneer heritage and landscape of the southwest.”
“Western Art is Common Bond Between 2 Artists” The Daily Spectrum
9 March 1980
“Art Show” Las Vegas Review Journal 13 April 1980 2L “This
painting, A twisted Fence, by artist Roland Lee of St. George, Utah is one
of many paintings that will be on display…”
“Art Show Scheduled during Boulder City Jamboree” Las Vegas Review
Journal 20 April 1980 2L “A mini art show at the Burk Gallery will be
part of the third annual Boulder City Jamboree…”
“Mini Art Show Featured at Jamboree” Las Vegas Sun 20 April 1980
3B. “Watercolorist Lee was born in California. He has several national
awards to his credit….”
“National Art Award Goes to Former Californian.” California Intermountain
News, 9 October 1980, P4
“Brazzeal and Lee to Display Work.” Color Country Spectrum, 9
March 1980, Outlook P7
GALLERY MAGAZINE ADS
Southwest Art Magazine – May 2008 New Visions Show
Art of the West Magazine Artists of Utah Sale and Show – Saguaro
Gallery, Park City, UT
Southwest Art Magazine – January 1982 – Full page ad featuring
“White House” by Roland Lee – Wilson Gallery, Fresno CA
Art West Magazine – March 1982. Inside back cover ad featuring
“Old Timer” by Roland Lee – George Phippen Memorial Art
Show, Prescott AZ
Art West Magazine – March 1981. Full page back cover ad featuring
“Johnson’s Barn” by Roland Lee – Heaton Gallery West,
St. George, UT
Southwest Art Magazine – May 1981. Full page ad featuring “Springdale
Sunrise” by Roland Lee – The Burk Gal’ry, Boulder City NV
Artists of the Rockies and the Golden West – Winter 1981. ½
page ad featuring “Schools Out by Roland Lee - The Burk Gal’ry,
Boulder City, NV
Artists of the Rockies and the Golden West – Fall 1980. Winter
Art Roundup - Heaton Gallery West, Ancestor Square, UT
Mountain West Magazine – October 1980 - Laughing Horse Gallery,
Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake Magazine
This People
St. George Magazine
US Art
Southwest Art
ROLAND LEE - ARTIST'S STATEMENT
“Art is something I need to do, not want to do. Earning a living from
creating art is a wonderful blessing, and I thank the Lord each day for being
able to live in a place I love, with people I care about, doing what means
so much to me. No one could ask for more. Being a representational painter,
I have to succeed on two levels. The viewer must first respond to my painting
intuitively or emotionally based on the foundation of good composition and
design, and second they must respond intellectually based on recognition or
familiarity with the subject matter. Always, the fact that my subject is recognizable
from nature is second in importance to the overall design impact of the painting.
But if either one fails it makes the entire painting unsuccessful. Bad art
fails in one of those two areas. Beyond that, I try to capture the viewer
through the use of drama. Ill alter the light source to create exciting light
and shadow patterns. I’ll manipulate aerial perspective to create depth.
I’ll change the local colors to create a mood. I’ll be selective
with the elements I include to direct the viewers attention. I’ll do
whatever I need to do to create an image that emotionally involves the viewer.
As an artist that is my job. I live in southern Utah because I love the landscape
around me. Initially that is what brought me here, and it is still the driving
force behind my work. Zion National Park is a special subject of mine. The
first time I saw the place I had an affinity for it. The jagged cliffs and
varied colors seemed to change at every turn, like a chameleon. It’s
almost as if God decided to have fun with this part of the planet, giving
vent to His own artistic expression. We have a family cabin on the east rim
of Zion, and I am always at peace there. But I also have a deep interest in
historical themes. My ancestors were among the original pioneer settlers of
Utah, and I’m proud of that heritage. I have done a number of paintings
which re-create early pioneer life, and I love the texture and colors of the
crumbling adobe homes and weathered barns and fences. Recently that interest
in history has taken me on numerous painting trips to England and other European
countries where I have fallen in love with the rich antiquities found everywhere.
I have walked where my ancestors walked before coming to America and feel
a strong sense of connecting there. Recent trips over the past few years have
taken me to Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, England, Ireland,
and Scotland where I enjoyed painting and sketching on location. I keep extensive
pencil sketchbooks as I travel which I use for reference in completing larger
paintings later in the studio. I’m often asked if I’m afraid I’ll
run out of things to paint. That could never happen. I've never had a single
day of "artist block" in my life. My biggest fear is not having
enough time in my life to paint all the things that interest me. The world
is a fantastic place -- especially when viewed through the eyes of an artist.”
-- Roland Lee
TECHNIQUES
I paint almost exclusively in watercolor, using the traditional
transparent painting method. I use no white or black paint, and no masking
of any kind. My preferred paper is Arches 140lb and 300lb cold press, using
primarily Daniel Smith and Winsor & Newton tube colors. My paper is stretched
by soaking and then stapling the paper to a board. My travel setup includes
hardbound 5x8 sketchbooks and 6B soft lead pencils, kneaded eraser, 3-legged
lightweight stool, Winsor and Newton pan paints, and a small collapsible water
can.
