About the Artist

Lee Alban - Biography

No Compromises

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Proficient in many styles of painting, Lee Alban fell in love with realism. His professional career earned him top awards in portraiture, figure, still life, and landscape, from major art organizations in the U.S. The Excellence in Still Life Award from Oil Painters of America and the Gold Medal Award from the Allied Artists of America. In 2024, his painting, "How The West Was Won" received the John Stevens Jones Purchase Award from the Bosque Museum. Other Award winning western paintings include: Navaho Heritage, To Touch the Earth is to have Harmony with Nature, Dreams are Wiser than Men, Know the River has its Destination, Preparing for Trouble, Two Cookie buy In, Sedona Sin Rojo, My Spirit May Come to You Without Shame, Desert Blooms, and more. Awards have included Best of Show, Gold Medal, Silver Medal, Best Landscape, Best Narrative, etc.

Lee is invited regularly to participate in the CM Russell Museum auction, Cheyenne Frontier Days Invitational, Western Spirit Exhibition, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Small Paintings Great Wonders Exhibition, Bosque Classic, Mountain Oyster Club Show, and others.

In 2023, Lee was offered a feature article in Art of the West magazine. His western paintings have also appeared multiple times in Western Art Collector, American Art Collector, International Artists, and Fine Art Connoisseur. He has earned signature memberships in the Oil Painters of America and the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, the Allied Artists of America and American Artists Professional League. He is designated as an Assoc. Living Master by the Art Renewal Society.

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He makes NO COMPROMISES: refusing to follow temporary economic or stylistic trends in exception to the timeless art of contemporary realism.

Exhibitions

2026 Small Works Great Wonders, National Cowboy Museum, Oklahoma City, OK

2026 Cheyenne Frontier Days Art Show and Sale, Old West Museum, Cheyenne, WY

2026 NOAPS Small Painting Exhibition, St. Simons, GA

2025 Small Works, Great Wonders, National Cowboy Museum, OK

2025 Parker County Sheriff's Posse, Weatherford, TX

2025 Cheyenne Frontier Days Art Show and Sale, Old West Museum, Cheyenne, WY

2025 The Russell Auction, C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, MT

2025 American Artists Professional League, Grand National Exhibition, NY

2025 International Guild of Realism, Santa Fe, NM

2025 Art of the Heartland, Southwest Artists, Mena, AR

2024 Western Spirit Art Show and Sale, Old West Museum, Cheyenne, WY

2024 The Russell Auction, C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, MT

2024 Mountain Oyster Club Show, Tucson, AZ

2024 NOAPS Best of America National Exhibition Birmingham, ALA

2024 American Artists Professional League New York, NY

2024 NOAPS Best of America Small Painting Show Santa Fe, NM

2024 International Guild of Realism Scottsdale, AZ

2024 Bosque Arts Classic, Bosque Art Museum, Clifton, TX

2023 American Plains Artists National Art Show, Clifton, TX

2023 International Guild of Realism National Exhibition, Santa Fe, NM

2023 Allied Artists of America 110th Online Exhibition, New York, NY

2023. American Artists Professional League, Grand National Exhibition, NY

2023 Bosque Arts Classic, Bosque Art Museum, Clifton, TX

2023 Art of the Heartlands, Mena, AR

2023 American Artists Professional League, New York, NY

2023 NOAPS Best of America Small Painting Show, Birmingham, ALA

2023 NOAPS Best of American National Exhibition, Alexandria, VA

2023 Charlie's March Roundup, C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, MT

2022 Allied Artists of America 109th Annual Exhibition, Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH

2022. American Artists Professional League, Grand National Exhibition

2022 NOAPS Online Spring Exhibition

2022 NOAPS Best of America Exhibition, Jackson Hole, WY

2022 American Plains Artists Exhibition, San Angelo, TX

2022 NOAPS Small Painting Exhibition, Birmingham, AL

2022 The Russell Auction, C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, MT

2022 International Guild of Realism Annapolis, MD

2021 Southwest Art of the Heartlands Mena, AR

2021 NOAPS Best of America Exhibition Missoula, MT

2021 NOAPS Small Painting Exhibition Charleston, SC

2021 The Russell Auction, C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, MT

2020 Southwest Art Of The Heartlands Mena, AR

2020 International Guild of Realism Charleston, SC

2020 American Artists Professional League New York, NY

2020 Allied Artists of America New York, NY

2020 The Russell Exhibition Auction Great Falls, MT

2020 NOAPS Small Painting Exhibition Annapolis, MD

2019 Southwest Art Of The Heartlands Mena, AR

2019 RJD Gallery, Believe Exhibition The Hamptons, NY

2019 NOAPS Best Of America Exhibition Park City, UT

2019 International Guild Of Realism Alexandria, VA

2018 NOAPS Best Of American Exhibition Cincinnati, OH

2018 International Guild Of Realism Santa Fe, NM

2017 Allied Artists Of America New York, NY

2017 NOAPS Best Of America Fort Wayne, IN

2017 Southwest Art Of The Heartlands Mena, AR

2017 Oil Painters Of America, Eastern Regional St. Simons Island, GA

2017 Mountain Oyster Club Art Show Tucson, AZ

2017 International Guild Of Realism Carmel, CA

2016 Group Exhibition, “The Cauldron” Lovetts Gallery Tulsa, OK

2016 Southwest Art, Art of the Heartland Mena, AR

2016 Oil Painter’s of America National Exhibition Dallas, TX

2015 Traveling The West Show and Sale Dallas, TX

2015 Southwest Art, Art of the Heartland Mena, AR

2015 Masterworks From the International Guild of Realism Traveling Exhibition

2015 Virtuosos at the Salmagundi Club New York, NY

2015 Allied Artists of America National Exhibition New York, NY

2015 NOAPS Spring Signature/Masters Exhibition Beach, MO

2015 Oil Painter’s Of America National Exhibition Augustine, FL

2014 Allied Artists of America 100^th Anniversary Exhibition New York, NY

2014 “Black Gold” solo exhibition, East Texas Oil Museum Kilgore, TX

2014 “Black Gold” solo exhibition Fredericksburg, TX

2014 Oil Painter’s Of America National Exhibition Bennington, VT

2014 American Society of Traditional Artists Annual Exhibition Scottsdale, AZ

2013 NOAPS, Best of America Bolivar, MO

2013 International Guild Realism Tempe, AZ

2013 American Society of Traditional Artists Annual Exhibition Scottsdale, AZ

2013 International Salon Exhibition San Antonio, TX

2013 Oil Painter’s of America National Exhibition Fredericksburg, TX

2012 NOAPS, Best of America Bolivar, MO

2012 Oil Painter’s of America Eastern Regional Bennington, VT

2012 Salmagundi Club Non-members Open Exhibition New York, NY

2012 International Guild of Realism Carmel, CA

2012 International Salon Exhibition San Antonio, TX

2012 Scottsdale Salon of Fine Art Scottsdale, AZ

2012 Blossom II (traveling exhibit) OH, IL, LA, AZ, FL, VA

2011 Main Street Gallery Dual Artist Exhibition Annapolis, MD

2011 American Artists Professional League National New York, NY

2011 Oil Painter’s of America Eastern Regional Orleans, MA

2011 International Guild of Realism Santa Fe, NM

2011 Salmagundi Club Non-members Open Exhibition New York, NY

Awards

2025 Southwest Artists, Art of the Heartland, Best of Show

2025 Parker County Sheriff's Posse, Third Place

2025 Allied Artists of America, The Florence & Ernest Thorne Thompson Memorial Award

2024 Bozque Art Classic, John Stevens Jones Purchase Award

2023 Bosque Art Classic, Best New Entrant

2023 American Artists Professional League, Grand National Exhibition, Exceptional Figurative

2023 Art of the Heartlands, Best of Show

2023 NOAPS Online Exhibition Best of Show

2023 PleinAir Salon Art Exhibition April Best of Portraits and Figures

2022 American Artists Professional League, Grand National Exhibition, Frank C. Wright Medal of Honor

2022 Allied Artists of America Annual Exhibition, Len G. Everett Memorial Award

2022 American Plains Artists Annual Exhibition, Source Tek Award

2022 International Guild of Realism Annual Exhibition, Editor's Choice Award, Amer. Art Col. magazine

2022 NOAPS Online Exhibition, Third Place

2021 Southwest Artists Assoc., Art of the Heartlands National Exhibition, Best of Show

2021 NOAPS Best of America National Exhibition, Best Realism

2020 Allied Artists of America, 107th Annual Exhibition, Gold Medal of Honor

2020 American Artists Professional League, 92nd Grand National, Award of Merit

2020 BoldBrush Painting Competition May, Top 15% FAV (Stephanie, Lady of Steam)

2020 BoldBrush Painting Competition May, Top 15% FAV (Waiting on a Night Train)

2020 NOAPS Small Painting Exhibition, Best Narrative Award

2020 NOAPS Spring Online Exhibition, Merit Award

2019 Art Renewal Center, ARC Salon Competition, Finalist, Figurative

2019 Art Renewal Center, ARC Salon Competition, Finalist, Landscape

2018 International Guild of Realism, Patron's Choice

2018 International Guild of Realism, Best Landscape

2018 BoldBrush Painting Competition June, Top 15% FAV

2018 BoldBrush Painting Competition May, Top 15% FAV

2017 Art Renewal Center, ARC Salon Competition, Finalist, Navajo Heritage

2017 Art Renewal Center, ARC Salon Competition, Finalist, The Break Room

2017 NOAPS On-Line Spring Exhibition, Most Innovative

2017 BoldBrush Painting Competition, Second Place

2017 Art Renewal Center Assoc. Living Master Award

2017 International Artists Magazine, Seascapes River and Streams Finalist

2017 Portrait Society of America, Members Only On-line Exhibition, Out Of The Box 2nd Place

2016 Southwest Art Magazine, Artistic Excellence, Finalist

2016 International Artist Magazine, Rivers, Streams, and Lakes Finalist

2016 Art Renewal Center, ARC Salon Competition, Landscape Finalist

2016 Art Renewal Center, ARC Salon Competition, Portrait Finalist

2016 Artists Magazine Annual Competition, Interiors Finalist

2016 NOAPS On-Line Spring Exhibition, Award of Excellence

2015 Artists Magazine All Media Art Competition, Honorable Mention

2015 Southwest Artists, Art of the Heartland, Second Place

2015 Artists Magazine Annual Competition, Still Life Finalist

2015 Artists Magazine Annual Competition, Landscape Finalist

2015 NOAPS Signature/Masters Exhibition, First Place

2015 Art Renewal Center, ARC Salon Competition, Finalist

2014 Allied Artists of America On0line Competition, Elected Member Award

2014 Allied Artists of America, 100^th Anniversary Exhibition, Best Seascape Award

2014 Artists Magazine Annual Competition, Landscape, Finalist

2014 Artists Magazine Annual Competition, Interior, Finalist

2014 Art Renewal Center, ARC Salon Competition, Still Life Finalist

2013 American Society of Traditional Artists Annual Exhibition, Best Landscape

2013 NOAPS On-Line Exhibition, Award of Merit

2013 NOAPS Best Of America Exhibition, Award of Merit

2013 Artists Magazine Annual Competition, Interior, Finalist

2013 Art Renewal Center, ARC Salon Competition, Landscape Finalist

2013 NOAPS Online Exhibition, Most Innovative Painting Award

2013 International Artist Magazine, Landscape Finalist

2012 Artist’s Magazine, Over 60 Competition, First Place

2012 Artists Magazine Annual Competition, Still Life, Finalist

2012 Art Renewal Center, ARC Salon Competition, Landscape, Finalist

2011 Flora and Fauna Exhibition, Schuler School of Fine Arts, Second Place

2011 America China Oil Painting Artists League, Finalist

2011 Salon International, Greenhouse Gallery, Top 50

2011 Blossom II, Art of the Flower, Finalist

2010 Artists Magazine Annual Competition, Finalist, Animals

2010 Artists Magazine Annual Competition, Finalist, Portraits and Figures

2010 Artists Magazine Annual Competition, Finalist, Landscape

2010 Oil Painters of America 19^th National Exhibition, First Place Excellence In Still Life

Selected Publications

2026 Western Art Collector Magazine, July/Aug, "Frontier Spirit"

2023 Art of the West Magazine July/Aug, "The Adventure Continues"

2021 American Art Collector Magazine, "Playing Tricks, Artists Working in the Trompe l'oeil Tradition . . ."

2020 Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, "The Timeless Appeal of Horses"

2020 Railroad Heritage (CRP&A Journal) 3rd qtr., "Getting The Signal"

2020 International Artist Magazine, "Past and Present"

2020 Western Art Collector Magazine, "Painting The West"

2020 American Art Collector Magazine, Artists Focus "Silk and Steel"

2019 American Art Collector Magazine, "Collector's Focus, Portraits"

2019 American Art Collector Magazine, "Interpreting Life"

2018 American Art Collector Magazine, "Reimagining The West"

2018 Western Art Collector Magazine, "Silk and Steel"

2017 International Artists Magazine, "Know The River Has Its Destination"

2016 Western Art Collector Magazine, “Western Art East Of The Mississippi”

2016 International Artist Magazine “To Touch The Earth Is To Have Harmony . . .”

2016 Book (page): “Incite 4: Relax. Restore. Renew.”

2016 American Art Collector Magazine “Upcoming Show Preview: Silk And Steel”

2016 Southwest Art Magazine “Oil Painters Of America”

2016 American Art Collector Magazine “Spirits Of The American West”

2016 American Art Collector Magazine “Destination Texas”

2015 American Art Collector Magazine “Florida Bound”

2014 American Art Collector Magazine Preview “Black Gold Exhibition”

2014 Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine “Off The Walls, Artists and Galleries”

2014 Western Art Collector Magazine “Artist Focus, Americana”

2014 Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine “Dining And Wining: An Ageless Theme Endures”

2013 American Art collector Magazine “The Essence Of Form, Collecting Figurative Art”

2013 American Art Collector Magazine “Advancing Realism”

2013 International Artist Magazine “Early Morning Pasture”

2013 American Art Collector Magazine “Enduring Tradition”

2012 Artist Magazine Cover feature

2012 Southwest Art Magazine “A Portfolio Of Winners”

2012 International Artist Magazine “Three Point Linkage”

2012 Southwest Art Magazine “Art Values: Collectibles”

2012 Southwest Art Magazine “Art Values: Research and Development”

2011 April/May International Artist Magazine “Flowers and Gardens”

2011 American Art Collector Magazine “Salon International”

2010 American Art Collector Magazine “American Legacy”

2010 American Art Collector Magazine “San Antonio Salon”

2009 International Artists Magazine “Yellow Hibiscus”

2009 International Artists Magazine “Morning Hustle”

2009 American Art Collector Magazine “Trompe L’Oeil Masters”

2009 American Art Collector Magazine “Places of the Heart”