Roland is one of the noted watercolor artists in the Rochester, NY area today. His continuous growth and development as a Plein-Air painter in his pursuit of watercolor has enabled him to be accepted into, and win awards in numerous National, State, and Regional juried exhibitions over the last 25 years. He is a “Signature Member” of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America, National Watercolor Society, Philadelphia Watercolor Society, Pittsburgh Watercolor Society, Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society, Central New York Watercolor Society, Rochester Art Club, and Whiskey Painters of America. He is also a Signature Member of the American Society of Marine Artists.
Artist's Statement
As an architect, having been trained to explore the multiple possibilities of every design, I have found it equally exciting and rewarding to apply that training towards watercolor painting. I search for natural subject matter that presents an interesting challenge, frequently changing the focal point of interest by how I apply color. I usually sketch directly and apply some under glazes to set up a theme and depending on how quickly it dries, will proceed, allowing numerous options to remain open for shifting the focal point. The challenge and excitement is in not recording all the facts, but in trying to capture a likeness while experiencing unique and unpredictable outcome.
Biography
A native of Rochester, New York, Roland resides in Pultneyville, New York, with his wife Georgia, who is his enthusiastic supporter. Upon graduation from Syracuse School of Architecture, Roland studied privately with Jossey Bilan, a noted painter in Keene, New York. For the past forty-five years, he has had a career as a County Planner and New York State Registered Architect. In addition to painting, which he has been pursuing more avidly since retiring, he has found more time to sail, ski, travel, and search for shipwrecks.
Born in Chicago in 1940, he grew up in Rochester, & Pultneyville, NY, & graduated with a BS from the University of Rochester, Bachelor of Architecture & Master of Architecture in Urban Design from Syracuse University in 1973.
For over 70 years he has been a downhill and cross-country skier, and even tried ski jumping for several years, and was on the National Ski Patrol for 15 years.
Other interests include being a Scottish bagpiper in several pipe bands for over 30 years, amateur archaeologist for 60 years, shipwreck explorer and team artist for the last 17 years.