A Quick Look: 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 studio located in historic downtown 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 "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 "Art West Magazine," "Southwest Art magazine", "Art-Talk magazine", "U.S. Art" and "Art Business News." He is included in the books, "Contemporary Western Artists" by Peggy and Harold Samuels, "Artists of Utah", by Swanson, and "McKittrick's Guide to Fine Art."
Above: Conte portrait painting of Roland Lee by Del Parson

Read Lisa Huber's article on Roland Lee in May 2007 "15 Bytes" Artists of Utah

ROLAND LEE BIOGRAPHY

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 and display gallery overlooking downtown St. George.

World Travels
During the past 10 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 in the historic downtown district. He and Nellie have five married children and 17 grandchildren.

Grandpa Roland lets grandson Kade Simmons
weild the brush in his studio in St. George

Grandaughter Emma Maestri at work in Roland Lee's studio

EXHIBITS AND AWARDS
• Desert Blossom Art Festival - Guest Artist Plein Air painting demonstration, May 3, 2008
• 2008 Spring Exhibition - Utah Watercolor Society - May 15-June 16 2008Palmer's Gallery Salt Lake City
• St. George Art Museum - A Legacy of Woods - April-May 2008
• New Visions - Group Show, Santa Clara May 2008 - 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 21St. 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
• 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)

LISTINGS IN ART BOOKS, TRADE JOURNALS, HISTORICAL
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 84th Spring Salon - May 2008 Springville Art Museum Exhibition catalog, Image: "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
• St. George Magazine - Feature articles March and April 2008
• Pioneer Magazine - Front Cover and feature article illustrated with Roland Lee paintings Winter 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
• 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

BOOKS AND ILLUSTRATIONS
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
"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.