We had spectacular weather for the Quick Paint this year. We also added an Open Class of participants who competed for the "Art on the Rocks" award, with votes cast at the traditional display of finished paintings on the rocks along East Bay and artists' photo op. Professional photographer Dennis Chick took some wonderful photos during the 2-hour timed competition and we're grateful for his permission to post them. To contact him for prints or copies, please email him at dchickphoto@gmail.com. Visit his web site at www.dennischick.com.

It doesn't get any better than this:  Bright sun, cool breeze, and all the brilliant colors we associate with Plein Air Grand Marais in September.  Jack Dant won today's vote for daily finalist in the Artists' Choice competition. Tonight might be our best chance of seeing (and painting?) the Northern Lights.

It was a typical September day in Grand Marais for painters during Plein Air Grand Marais: a little rain, sun, wind, and rainbows. Carl Bretzke is today's finalist for the Artists' Choice award. Tonight is our Night Painting event downtown. Stay tuned for pictures, and maybe a glimpse of the Northern Lights.

It was another perfect day in Grand Marais. Artists have practically taken over the town, and it's a thrill to see a painter in every direction!

Today was a close call. Lisa Stauffer was our daily Finalist for Artists' Choice award by one vote. We expect the competition to get stiffer as more painters arrive and finish more paintings to submit. Bring in your painting between 11am and 12pm; voting is between 12-1pm from Saturday to Wednesday of Competition week.

Lisa Stauffer's winning pastel painting of the lighthouse and harbor in Grand Marais.

It's a fine week of weather forecast in Grand Marais for OPM's first year as organizing sponsor of Plein Air Grand Marais. We had our first day of voting on a finalist for the Birnie Quick Artists' Choice award: Congratulations to Matt Kania for his winning painting, "Artist's Point." Stay tuned for photos and updates this week from the North Shore of Lake Superior.