Capture Northbrook’s beautiful countryside in the first “Paint the Prairie” Competition

Painting outdoors is all about capturing the beauty of nature in real time, as the light changes, the breeze shifts, and birds, insects and other creatures travel through the landscape at their own rhythms.

Artists are invited to enjoy this special experience at the first “Paint the Prairie” event to be held in September in partnership between the Northbrook Park District and the village of Northbrook’s Arts Commission. “Paint the Prairie” takes place Sept. 7-8, at Techny Prairie Park and Fields in Northbrook.

“The park district is thrilled to have the chance to offer this weekend of nature, painting and events at Techny Prairie Park and Fields,” said Northbrook Park District Visual and Performing Arts Manager Drew Kambach. The event is not juried; artists simply need to register to participate.

“Artists of all abilities are welcome to find inspiration in this beautiful natural setting,” Kambach said. “The weekend will offer an array of events for both the artists and the community, with the opportunity to win prizes and purchase art.”

“Techny Prairie Park and Fields is the perfect setting for plein air painting,” said Northbrook Arts Commissioner Bonnie Siegel, an oil painter who specializes in landscapes and animal portraits.

“Plein air” means “outdoors” in French; en plein air painting is the practice of creating entire works while being outside, with full view of the subject.

“Most people feel more comfortable at home or in a studio, but if you go outside, it’s a whole other way of looking directly at your subject,” she said. “It’s different in nature. It’s varied and it’s magical. Painting from life — that’s what plein air is all about.”

Siegel, who works part time as a customer service representative at Techny Prairie Activity Center in Northbrook, said she’s traveled the country to paint plein air, and is excited that Techny Prairie Parks and Fields offers the perfect natural setting.

“It is a lovely, varied and active park, with not just the prairie, but also buildings, sports fields, woods, a lake and trails. Artists can find lots of places to paint,” said Siegel, also a member of the North Shore Art League, Geneva Lake Arts Foundation and Oil Painters of America, among others.

In fact, Siegel said, she has painted plein air along Techny Prairie Park and Fields’ 14-acre Trail through Time, a serene natural history walk that features restored prairie and wetlands. The “Paint the Prairie” event will include a special celebration of the anniversary of the opening of Trail through Time.

The Northbrook Arts Commission, a village of Northbrook initiative comprising 15 members, encourages the development and enjoyment of the arts in Northbrook. Siegel said she worked closely with Northbrook Park District Director of Recreation Eileen Loftus, who represents the park district on the commission, to set up the “Paint the Prairie” event.

A staple of the French impressionist movement, plein air painting has seen a resurgence in recent years, with plein air magazines, events and workshops, Siegel said.

“You are capturing a specific place in time that maybe will never happen that exact way again,” she said, adding artists can make choices such as not including certain elements or painting abstractedly. “It’s a very cool type of art. You’re not forced to produce a photograph. You’re looking directly at the subject and making decisions — and it’s a wonderful feeling.”

Siegel encourages painters to bring paint supplies and whatever they need to paint comfortably — whether a chair, an easel or a table — plus paper towels, garbage bags, a hat, water and bug spray.

“Paint the Prairie” takes place Sept. 7-8 at Techny Prairie Park and Fields in Northbrook.

There will be a meet-and-greet with other artists on Sept. 6. All submitted artwork will be judged on Sept. 8. Awards will be $500 for first place, $250 for second place, $150 for third place, and $100 for honorable mention.

All artists 18 and older are invited to paint over the weekend. Registration is $45 per artist.

For information, registration and a complete list of events, visit nbparks.org/painttheprairie.