Tom Nachreiner served as judge at Plein Air Grand Marais, a Minnesota event that just wrapped up its awards presentation in the picturesque area along the North Shore of Lake Superior, by the Canadian border.
Organizers report that the 60 artists who participated in Plein Air Grand Marais enjoyed pleasant fall weather. Who won? Bob Upton won the top prize, sponsored by PleinAir magazine, for his piece “Clearwater.” Second Place was also sponsored by PleinAir; it was won by Tom McGregor for “Red Rock.” Sue Wipf won Third Place with “Cascade Falls Rush,” and Lawrence Rudolech won Honorable Mention.
The winning piece by Bob Upton
In the Quick Paint competition, Carl Bretzke won with “Waiting for the Sun,” and Robert Hodges-Bonawitz took Honorable Mention. The People’s Choice Award went to Upton’s First Place painting, “Clearwater.” The Night Paint winner was “Firelight,” by Scott Lloyd Anderson, with Carl Bretzke getting Honorable Mention.
Artists spread out along the shore in Grand Marais
Grand Marais also bestows a Red Suspender award. In this contest, artists square off against each other one-on-one in a bracket competition, with the winner earning a coveted pair of red suspenders. Carl Bretzke won that invitational with his painting “Harley’s Old Truck,” defeating Dave Gilsvik.
