The McKnight Foundation has named Minneapolis painter Mike Lynch the sixth recipient of its Distinguished Artist Award. The annual award honors an individual who has contributed to the state's tradition of arts and culture, and carries a $40,000 grant. Past winners of the award include poet Robert Bly, choral conductor Dale Warland and book publisher Emilie Buchwald. Lynch works largely between dusk and dawn, capturing images of Minnesota landscapes, buildings and artifacts. Two years ago, he described his catalog of Iron Range colors to Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Stucky.