During the Plein Air Convention & Expo, two artists received special recognition for their remarkable careers and their efforts to advance the cause of representational painting. John Stobart and Mian Situ were both honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards from PleinAir magazine.

“The convention far exceeded my expectations,” said many of the people who attended the 2nd Annual Plein Air Convention & Expo in Monterey, California. That was in part because the program was packed with painting demonstrations and illustrated presentations. Here are a few more highlights of the phenomenal event.

After more than three days of being inspired by lectures and demonstrators, artists who attended the Plein Air Convention & Expo had a chance to paint together along the Pacific Ocean and near Fisherman’s Wharf. See who you recognize at their easel.

Where could you go to watch Scott Christensen, Dawn Whitelaw, C.W. Mundy, Kathryn Stats, and other top artists paint on the same stage? Only at the recent Plein Air Convention & Expo in Monterey, California. See photos of those artists and many others.

Two artists and a museum director motivated a capacity crowd during the opening-night presentations at the Plein Air Convention & Expo, which just concluded in Monterey, California. Find out who stirred the crowd with laughter, information, and challenges.

An over-capacity crowd of artists participated in the Plein Air Basics and Umbrella Group programs during the Plein Air Convention & Expo, held in Monterey, California, last week. Find out if you recognize anyone in the photographs uploaded from the show.

The Knoxville Museum of Art invites artists to participate in the 8th Annual Artists on Location Plein Air Event, May 10-11, 2013 in Knoxville, Tennessee, and surrounding areas. This year's featured artist is Brett Weaver of Chattanooga.

The Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, is now presenting the first in a series of exhibitions focusing on the creative process behind the development of major works of art. More than 30 studies -- including outdoor drawings and paintings -- that were used by Andrew Wyeth to develop the masterpiece "Ides of March" are shown. Take a look at those studies, his studio, and the finished egg tempera painting.

Next week, the Weir Farm National Historic Site in Connecticut will present the work of modern-day American Impressionist Dmitri Wright in a show titled Impressions of Light. Wright has a long association with Weir Farm National Historic Site, having led the park's Impressionist Painting Workshops since 2009 as master artist and instructor.

West Wind Fine Art on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is celebrating its 15th anniversary with artwork by master artists Richard Schmid, Clyde Aspevig, Nancy Guzig, Carol Guzman-Aspevig, Daniel J. Keys, Judy Stach, and Timothy R. Thies. A paint-out and demonstration are also planned.