Daily Painters "Imperial Stand-off"

Today something a little different. My husband is a big car buff, and he is always encouraging me to paint cars. I've done a few in the past, so in an attempt to "get published" on his car guy blog, I ran across the perfect opportunity. One of my favorite oil painters, Carol Marine, has started a new painters challenge. Each week she will post a photo of the challenge subject, and artists can paint and submit their interpretations. This is the first challenge painting of the series, and if you're an artist, or just want to check it out, here is the link - http://www.dailypaintworks.com/challenges.

This piece is 8" x 10" and painted in soft pastel on sandpaper. It is offered framed in a dark/wide wood frame with UV/Non-glare museum glass, ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it now price $185.00 + $25 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada. Thanks for looking.

Copyright 2010 Monique Straub. All rights reserved

Art Festival Booth Set-Up

9-panel "Propanels" display

I'm frequently asked by my artist friends about setting up at indoor and outdoor art festivals, and with the Mission Federal ArtWalk 2011 just around the corner this April, I figured I would pass along a little info.

Over the past seven years, when showing at art festivals like ArtWalk, I've relied on various methods to display my work. Most included metal straps (used like gallery rods) that were easy to store, transport, and install. Last year I decided to take the plunge and purchase one half of a "professional" display. After much investigation and price comparison, I found that Propanels was the most to my liking. With six panels, I was able to set up a nice side and back wall display at last years Artwalk. (you can see that if you scroll down the right side of the screen to "Artwalk Featured Artist 2010")

The recent purchase of an additional three panels allows for a full booth display. The photo above shows my full booth display at the San Diego Holiday Arts Festival this past November. That white gap in the back wall is actually where I've brought the far left back panel forward to create a storage/wrapping station behind the panel. I can tell you that set up is easy, since the panels are light weight and stack flat for transport. Heavy paintings are easily hung from rod hangers attached to the tops of the panels, and smaller pieces are easy to hang from drapery hooks secured on the panels. They may seem a bit pricey, but well worth the investment if you are showing on the road. I've included a link to their site here. Feel free to drop me an email if I can answer any other questions.

Daily Painters "Blushing Nopales"

Another beautiful day in San Diego, another fun day in the garden. Today we meet the succulents, and in particular, the blushing pink paddle cactus. Botanically known as "Opuntia Microdasys", these are the "nopale" cactus of Old Mexico. They were commonly peeled, boiled, chopped and used for salsa...yum!  A cute upright addition to the succulent dish garden, as long as you keep your fingers in check, they're pretty friendly.

This is painting #8 of the New Year. Painted in soft pastel on sanded paper, this piece measures 14" x 18" and is framed in wide, dark wood with UV/Non-glare museum glass. I will refund the shipping of $45 if you prefer local pick-up at my studio here in San Diego. Buy it now price: $475.00 + $45 shipping to anywhere in the continental U.S. Thanks for stopping by.

Copyright 2011 Monique Straub. All rights reserved

Daily Painters - "Pink Protea"

Trips to the farmers market always seem to inspire me to paint botanicals. These beauties are Proteaceae Nerifolia, also known as Protea for short. They are an evergreen shrub from South Africa, and they're very difficult to grow. The tips of the flower petals, or brachts to be precise, are furry and black. You may be surprised to know that another member of the Protea family is the Macadamia nut! Ok, enough trivia.

This piece measures 11" x 17" and is painted in soft pastel on sanded paper. It is framed in wide, dark wood with UV/Non-glare museum glass, and is ready for your Valentine. Buy it now price: $375 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. and Canada. Thanks for looking. Updated 2/13/11: Sold...to a local collector.

Daily Painters - La Jolla Cove

Even with choppy surf and blustry winds, La Jolla Cove is a beautiful place to visit. Recent storms provided local artists with many wonderful cloud formations and sunsets at the coastline. Since clear sky or light fog is the usual routine, we all get a little excited when we have a few clouds and some weather to work with.

This piece is painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, and measures 12" x 16". Framed in wide dark wood with UV/Non-glare museum glass, it is ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it now price: $350 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. and Canada. Thanks for looking.
Updated 1/20/11: Sold! To a local collector...thank you :)

Daily Painters "Noon Shadows"

I'm out in the garden again today. Brick border, Aloes and noon sun make for interesting shapes and shadows. I managed to stay out of the stickers today, but I've had enough spider encounters to easily begin a new series...on second thought...eeew! This piece would make a great gift for the succulent/cactus collector on your list.

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, the image measures 8" x 10" and is offered in a wide, dark wood frame with UV/Non-glare museum glass. Ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it now price $185.00 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. and Canada. Updated 7/13/11: Sold...and on its way to Denver!

Daily Painters - "Prickly Situation"

Every now and then, in my zeal to make my succulent garden look like a magazine cover, I encounter one of the bad boys of the territory. Mother Nature really had a sense of humor when she designed the cactus. These luscious, jewel-toned shapes translate into paddles of agony when the spring grasses decide to take residence within their tightly knit community. Stickers here...stickers there...stickers in my underwear!

This piece was "painstakingly" created "en plein air"...(that's outside on location :) Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, it measures 9" x 12" and is offered framed in a wide/dark wood frame with UV/Non-glare museum glass, ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it now price: $250 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. and Canada. Thanks for feeling my pain. Updated 1/14/11: Sold...to a new San Diego resident!

Daily Painters "Coastal Trail"

Recharging my creative battery is most often done while hiking about in nature. I recently sold a painting to an out of town visitor, and while wrapping her purchase, I decided to ask her just exactly how she had made her selection from the 15 or so paintings on display in my studio. She quickly responded, "This is the only painting that is 'pure nature' without any landscaping or human interference." Hmm, I guess I never thought about it that way. Even though many of you enjoy the wine country paintings, the scenes do have an element of "interference" in them. With that in mind, I'm enjoying the challenge to paint "pure nature" paintings. So in the case of this painting, let's just pretent the coyotes and squirrels are responsible for the trails. Works for me!

This is painting #3 of the New Year. It is painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, measures 12" x 12" and is framed in dark wood with UV/Non-glare museum glass. Buy it now price: $295.00, available for local (San Diego) pick up, or + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada. Updated 2/18/11: Sold...to a new collector from Redlands, CA.

Daily Painters "Sunset Glow"

The New Year's Day sunset was awesome as well!

Did you make your New Year's resolution? They say if you write it down and tell someone that it's much easier to stay focused and accomplish your goals. So here is my "artists version" of the list: Paint, then paint, then take time to paint, and when I have an extra minute...paint. I love it, and apparently you love it, so everybody is happy! Just for fun, I'll be numbering my paintings as they are painted.

Painting #2 of the New Year is painted in soft pastel on sandpaper. This piece measures 12" x 12" and is framed in dark wood with UV/Non-glare museum glass. Buy it now price: $295.00, available for local (San Diego) pick up, or + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada. Updated 2/23/11: Sold...to a collector in Alexandria, VA.

Daily Painters "Stormy Sunrise"

What a beautiful sunrise on New Year's Day 2011!

Happy New Year! My first work of the year is the view from the front deck of my house at sunrise. Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece measures 12" x 12" and is framed in dark wood with UV/Non-glare museum glass. Buy it now price: $295.00, available for local (San Diego) pick up, or + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada. Updated 4/30/11: Sold at ArtWalk!