"Lucky 13"

"Lucky 13"
© Monique Straub
12" x 36" Oil on Canvas

Talk about luck...did I tell you I have been selected as one of 120 artists to show my work in Laguna Beach at the Laguna Art A-Fair this summer? I'm thrilled, and to add to the excitement, my husband John has also been selected to show his photography. It will be an exciting, and exhausting show this summer. We will be driving up a minimum of once per week for two months to work the show and attend the many festivities and parties that are planned. I have been "burning up the brushes" in my studio in preparation, and will be offering "first dibs" on all of my newest work to my long time collectors and new collectors (that could be you!) Stay tuned for more info in future posts.

"Lucky 13" is painted in oil on gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, ready to hang and enjoy. You can purchase here and have it delivered to your door. $495 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S.

Sunny Times Ahead

"Sunny Times Ahead"
24" x 24" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

Sunflowers...who doesn't love them? Their bright faces bring joy to my studio, and I gaze at them often throughout the day. A sure sign of summer, they spring up at random on the hillside behind my house, and the birds flutter with delight. The perfect painting subject, they are very cooperative :)

"Sunny Times Ahead" is painted in oil on gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, ready to hang and enjoy. You can purchase here and have it delivered to your door. $650 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S.

"Daybreak"

"Daybreak"
36" x 48" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

Must be something in the water, the sun, the thought of marshmallow peeps. Maybe it's the smell of Honeysuckle in the air. The colors of Spring are slowly sneaking on to my palette, and it has been the perfect invitation to paint flowers and switch gears from landscape paintings to a few still life works. Patterns, reflections and brilliant color are always a welcome addition.

"Daybreak" is painted in the vivid colors of Spring. View it with a flower in your hair...it is on gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, ready to hang and enjoy.  You can purchase here and have it shipped to your door. $1800 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S.

"Let's Celebrate"

"Let's Celebrate"
24" x 24" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

The feeling of celebration is always in the air this time of year. Beginning in October with the change of season to Fall (my favorite), all the way through the end of the year. I have so many upcoming art events, and the show calendar for 2018 is already filling up fast! Have you marked your calendar for my Open Studio event on October 14-15? I hope to see you there.

"Let's Celebrate" is painted in the warm colors of Fall, on 1-1/2" depth gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, ready to hang and enjoy.  $800 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S. Purchase this beautiful painting here! Updated 3/6/18: Sold!

"Coneflowers"

"Coneflowers"
24" x 24" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

They're everywhere...Coneflowers! My favorite flower, and this is the time of the year they make their colorful appearance. They grew all along the white picket fence in my grandmas yard, and my chubby little eight year old fingers had to squeeze the center of each one. Have you ever touched the center of a Coneflower? They're hard and not at all like what you would think :)

"Coneflowers" is painted in the warm colors of Fall, on 1-1/2" depth gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, ready to hang and enjoy. You can purchase here and have it delivered to your door. $800 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S. Updated 3/6/18: Sold!

"Pink Pop"

"Pink Pop"
20" x 20" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

Ahh...the cooler breezes of Fall are finally upon us. My favorite season of the year, and also prime time for beauty in the garden. My morning neighborhood walk reminds me to stop and smell the flowers!

"Pink Pop" is painted in the festive colors of Fall, on 1-1/2" depth gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, ready to hang and enjoy. You can purchase and have it delivered to your door. $480 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S.

Poppy Fiesta

"Poppy Fiesta"
18" x 24" Each
© Monique Straub

Springtime has been with us a few months now, and the Poppies and green grasses are dancing up the hillsides in my back yard. It's amazing to me that they return on their own, year after year, without my lifting a finger. The recent heavy rains have prompted quite the "fiesta."

"Poppy Fiesta" is painted on two 1-1/2" depth gallery wrapped canvases, sides painted black, ready to hang and enjoy. You can purchase here and have it delivered to your door, or purchase here and pick up at my North Park studio and I will refund the shipping fee. $1200 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental US. Updated 10/18/17: Sold!

"Poppy Magic"

"Poppy Magic"
20" x 20" Oil on Gallery Canvas
© Monique Straub

I was recently invited by Adelman Fine Art to paint "live" in front of the gallery, as a represented artist in their current show "Landscape & Bloom." Being that I'm primarily a "studio" painter, and not necessarily much of a "performer," panic ensued! Dusting off my little used plein air easel, and packing the necessary paint and brushes, I checked and rechecked my supplies and off I went. Now that it's over, and the trauma has subsided, I'm happy to report that I had a wonderful time and met a lot of great folks. This is really only the second time I've painted outdoors, with the first time being at the San Diego County Fair Plein Air Contest last July, which was also lots of fun and something I plan on doing again this year.

"Poppy Magic" is the fruit of my sidewalk effort, with final touches completed back in the studio. Painted in oil on 1-1/2" depth gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black. Offered here ready to hang and enjoy, you can purchase here and have it shipped to your door, or purchase here and pick up at my Art on 30th studio and I will refund the shipping fee. Updated 5/4/17: Sold...to a local collector!

"Just Sunnin"

"Just Sunnin"
24" x 24" Oil on Gallery Canvas
© Monique Straub

Things have been hopping in the studio lately, since I'm gearing up for the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival on October 10 & 11. I've been working on expanding my pastel series "Torrey Pines" and also creating many large and colorful oil paintings on canvas. Held on Girard Street in the heart of beautiful La Jolla, this is a fun and festive show, and one of my favorites. Stay tuned for more info on the festival, and more previews of featured art.

"Just Sunnin" is offered ready to hang and enjoy, on 1-1/2" gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black. You may purchase here and have it shipped to your door, or purchase here and pick up at my studio/gallery at Art on 30th in North Park, and I will refund the shipping. $575 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 5/1/16: Sold!...to a new collector at Mission Federal ArtWalk :)

"Free Flight"

"Free Flight"
24" x 36" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

It's California summertime, and the Birds of Paradise are in full bloom! The birds love them, the bees love them, and they are one of my favorite flowers. Growing like weeds in the front yard, their curious beaks stare me down every chance they get. I'm so glad they are drought tolerant!

"Free Flight" is painted in vibrant blues and greens on 1-1/2" thick gallery wrapped canvas. The sides are painted black and it is ready to hang, unframed. Updated 1/15/17: Sold!

"Garden Ballet"

"Garden Ballet"
12" x 12" Framed Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub
 

So many times I am drawn to beautiful fragrances in our neighborhood. Across the street is a grove of orange trees in bloom, and last night I discovered our next door neighbor has this beautiful Brugmansia bush that is in full bloom. Also known as "Angels Trumpet" the night time fragrance fills the entire neighborhood. Evening walks always bring inspiration.

"Garden Ballet" is offered framed in a gold crackle finish float frame, and available here. You can have it shipped to your door, or pick up at my studio in Pt. Loma and I'll refund the shipping. $275 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Thanks for stopping by. Updated 2/7/14: Sold!

"Call me Lily"

"Call me Lily"
9" x 12" Pastel on Board
© Monique Straub
 

So much of what I enjoy about painting florals is the memory attached to the particular flowers. Lilies were planted in every nook and shady corner of my grandmas yard. As a kid, I would forage around under their glossy green leaves hunting for snails. Yup...I was a tomboy, and these snail hunts would always delight my green thumb granny. It was on one of these "hunts" that I discovered the beautiful scent of the creamy white powder that forms on the yellow centers of the flowers. I would rub the fragrant powder behind my ears like perfume. Mmm...I can still smell it..!

"Call me Lily" is offered framed in a wide, gold, plein air style frame with UV/non-glare museum glass. Ready to hang and enjoy. You may purchase here and have it shipped to your door, or purchase here and pick up at my Pt. Loma/Liberty Station studio and I will refund the shipping. $225 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 2/7/14: Sold...to a new local collector!

"Red Hot Summertime"

"Red Hot Summertime"
Soft Pastel on Sandpaper
9" x 12"

Red...I mean really RED...don't you love it? I was thumbing through images of some of my paintings recently, and realized that I rarely use red. These Amaryllis were just beginning to bloom out in the planters on the patio at Spanish Village Art Center, and I figured they were the perfect subject for my red adventure. They are also perfect for the introduction of my new gold plein air style frames. You can click to my blog and see this painting in one of those new frames along the right hand column. Red/gold...what's not to love?

Offered framed in wide gold plein air style frame with UV/non-glare museum glass. Ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it here and have it shipped, or arrange for pick up at my studio and save the shipping. $235 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada.

"Moonbeams"



"Moonbeams"
Soft Pastel on Sandpaper, 12x12"
 2012, Monique Straub

Sometimes waking up in the middle of the night can be a good thing. I tossed, I turned, and finally went downstairs for a drink of water. Standing at the kitchen sink and gazing into the back yard, I spied the most beautiful scene. Cannas glowing in the moonlight. It was as if they were featured under a spotlight...dancing for a star filled sky!

"Moonbeams" is framed in a rustic, black 2" wide wood frame with UV/non-glare museum glass. Ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it here $295.00 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada.

"Kiss of Spring"

"Kiss of Spring"
Soft Pastel on Sandpaper
14" x 18"

The coming of Spring welcomes the beginning of art show season. I'm busily preparing for my first outdoor show "Mission Federal ArtWalk," which takes place April 28 and 29 in the streets of Little Italy here in San Diego. Along with the preparation of a few larger "show pieces," I will also offer a few smaller works for new collectors.

"Kiss of Spring" is offered framed in wide, dark brown wood with thin gold liner and UV/non-glare museum glass, ready to hang and enjoy. * Please note: I had a bit of difficulty adjusting the color balance of the background swirls on this piece, and could never get them exact in the photo. They are actually a bit richer and more turquoise, and I think prettier than I was able to show here.
Buy it now: $495 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada.

Daily Painters "Welcome Spring"

"Welcome Spring"
Soft Pastel on Sandpaper
12" x 12"

After the last few days of crazy, rainy weather here in San Diego, it feels good to know that it's officially Spring! "Jayson" our resident Blue Jay, appeared in the thick of it yesterday, soaked to the bone and pacing in front of the window in hopes of a fresh peanut. He's been missing in action the last few weeks, and we're thinking he is tending a new family somewhere in the neighborhood. He makes a fast appearance, gulps down a few nuts, then he's in a big hurry to take off again. Today the sun is shining, it's 70 degrees outside and everyone is back to work for the week.

"Welcome Spring" is offered framed in wide crackle finish gold wood with a thin black liner and UV/non-glare museum glass. You can buy it here and have it shipped :) $295 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 11/23/14: Sold!

Daily Painters "Buckwheat"

Hiking along Mission Trails Regional Park this time of year, you will be greeted by the transition of the last blooms of Buckwheat. This is when the last creamy white blooms of the year will join the deep, rust colored blooms of spring that remain. Makes for a beautiful color combo, and smells good too!

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece measures 12" x 12" and is framed in wide black wood with thin gold liner and UV/non-glare museum glass. Bold and colorful! Buy it now $295 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 5/1/12: Sold at ArtWalk!

Daily Painters "Pink Protea Two"

Odd blooms and interesting leaves capture my attention, and a visit to the flower market will always yield new ideas.  These Protea were just begging to come home with me.

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece measures 11" x 17" and is framed in dark wood with UV/non-glare museum glass, ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it now $375 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Thanks for looking :)

Daily Painters "Poppyfest #1"

What's not to like about a happy poppies?

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece measures 8" x 8" and is framed in wide, black frame with gold liner and UV/non-glare museum glass. Ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it now $165 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 9/4/11: Sold...to a new collector in Norrkoping, Sweden!

Daily Painters "Solandra Maxima"

Yes, that's Cup of Gold for those of you that are Southern California gardeners. These rampant growers will keep even the most diligent gardener on their toes. Many of these vines in my neighborhood are over forty years old, with trunks the size of small trees. They're worth the constant trimming, with their huge saucer sized blooms, and glossy green foliage.

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece measures 8" x 10" and is offered in a coordinating wood frame with UV-Non glare museum glass, ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it now price: $175 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada. Updated 6/26/11: Sold!