Lee Rue was born in China in 1962. He immigrated to the United States as a young student and later earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco in early 90's. Following family tradition, Lee has fulfilled his childhood dream to become an accomplished artist. Over the years he also taught art, design, and lighting techniques at several colleges in California. Lee's portfolio includes western, landscapes portraits, and live-model paintings. Lee also joined other renowned master painters at several special exhibitions in bay area California. Lee's paintings have been actively exhibited at C.M. Russell Museum and Out West Shows and auctions. He has also been participating annual Miniature Masterpiece Shows and Hold Your Hoses Shows at Phippen Museum and Settlers West Gallery. Many of Lee's paintings were juried into OPA and other major associations' exhibitions.

Recent awards:

- The Best Figurative Art Award at Slopoke West Art Shows in Solvang, California 2024 and 2025.

- Artists Choice Award at Slopoke West Art Shows in Solvang, California 2023 and 2025.

- The Best of Show – 2 Dimensional Award, Out West Art Show, Montana 2023.

- Phippen Museum Foundation Awards, Western Art Shows in Arizona 2022 and 2024.

- 3rd Place - Oil Painting Award, Phippen Museum Western Art Show in Arizona 2026

- People's Choice Award at Mountain View Americana Art Show, South Carolina.