"Rise and Shine"

"Rise and Shine"
24" x 24" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

The eastern morning view from my bedroom in La Mesa (a suburb of San Diego), never fails to impress. This time of year with the morning "heat clouds" over the eastern mountains, the sun backlights the hills and a painting always springs to mind. John and I grump and grouse about the high cost of living and the traffic, but the weather can't be beat!

"Rise and Shine" is painted in the vivid colors of a California morning, 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, or purchase here and pick up at my Mission Valley studio. $650 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S.

"Back Yard Sunrise"

It was summer time and the painting is easy. I was just back from a wonderful trip to Sonoma wine country with ideas, sketches and images galore. But there's no place like home...with so many beautiful scenes all around me, it's a breeze to notice something interesting right here in my own back yard. I took artistic license with this piece and combined the land scenery looking west, with the sky scenery looking east, and here you have it.

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece measures 14" x 18" and is framed in wide dark wood with thin gold liner, and UV/non-glare museum glass. Ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it now price $475 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada. Thanks for looking.
Updated 4/27/15: Sold!

"Santa Ana Forecast - Two"

"Santa Ana Forecast - Two"
14" x 18" Soft Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub
 

I'm taking a short break while my oil paintings dry, and revisiting a favorite scene today. I've had a few requests for pieces that are sold, and I always love to relax in the studio and paint what feel like old friends. The photo for this piece was taken in the Central California area of Paso Robles, while on a vacation trip to Carmel. Wind whipped clouds and swinging treetops made for a fun challenge.

"Santa Ana Forecast - Two" is offered framed in a wide, dark brown, plein air style frame with antique gold liner and 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 studio/gallery and I will refund the shipping. $525 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 10/16/13: Sold...to a new collector in New Jersey!

"Eucalyptus Sunrise"

"Eucalyptus Sunrise"
12" x 12"
© Monique Straub
 

A favorite subject of mine, this view of the sunrise out my bedroom window  never ceases to amaze me. So many different combinations of color, contrast and mood! I've painted this scene in pastel many times, depicting many different times of day and weather conditions. This is the first representation in oil on canvas, with I'm sure many more to come.

This piece is is offered framed and available here, and you can have it shipped to your door, or pick up at the studio and I'll refund the shipping. $275 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Hope to see you soon :) Updated 9/4/13: Sold...to a new collector right here in San Diego!

"Watermelon Sky"

"Watermelon Sky"
Soft Pastel on Panel
12" x 16"

Traveling the back roads of the California wine country is always a treat for me. I love to look back through my vacation photos as a jump start for most of my paintings. This perfect little scene was on the exit road at a winery in Sonoma. Since I like to use bits and pieces of several scenes, the sky for this piece was taken from a spectacular sunrise the next morning near the same area. The title to this painting was born before it was painted. It just popped into my head upon seeing this brilliant pink sky.

"Watermelon Sky" is offered framed in wide dark brown wood with UV/non-glare museum glass, ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it here and have it shipped, or if you're local, save shipping and pick up at my studio in Balboa Park. $365 + $35 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 8/10/12: Sold...to my top collector, thank you!

"Fire in the Sky"

"Fire in the Sky"
Soft pastel on sandpaper
9" x 12"

Some of our most beautiful sunsets here in San Diego occur in mid June. Now that the first days of summer are upon us, and the last clouds have passed, we're in for a few months of "severe clear." I recently had an interesting conversation with a fellow artist. We compared notes regarding the blazing sunset and cloud colors overhead, and came to the agreement that if we painted it just as we see it, no one would believe us! So here it is...in blazing color...just like I saw it. I even snapped a photo to prove it :)

"Fire in the Sky" is offered framed in a beautiful, wide, gold plein air style frame with UV/non-glare museum glass. Ready to hang and enjoy. * Please note: The sky color in this piece is so vivid turquoise/blue, my camera would not cooperate, but I got it as close as I could. If you love brilliant color, you will not be disappointed. Buy it here $225 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 7/17/13: Sold...to a new collector in Sandpoint, Idaho!

Daily Painters "Rise and Shine"

"Rise and Shine"
Soft Pastel on Sandpaper
12" x 16"

What a way to greet the day. With a variety of seasonal changes, I think the view from my bedroom window could provide inspiration for the entire year...if I can get up early enough!

"Rise and Shine" is offered framed in wide dark wood with UV/non-glare museum glass, ready to hang and enjoy. $365 = $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 5/12/12: Sold...to a San Diego couple...thank you!

Daily Painters "Cinco de Mayo Sunrise"

Ok, so I'm a few days late on this one, but I can tell you, it took me that long to recover from the celebration! The view from my bedroom deck on Cinco de Mayo morning set the stage for another beautiful day. I never tire of the colorful sunrise, and yes, I'm always up with the roosters to see it.

This piece is painted in soft pastel on sandpaper and the image measures 8" x 8". It is framed in wide dark wood with thin gold liner and UV/non-glare museum glass. Buy it now price: $150 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Muy Bueno! Updated 7/15/11: Sold

Daily Painters "California Sunrise"

After watching the national weather report, I feel very fortunate to live in California. While the rest of the country is snowed in, this was the sunrise outside my bedroom window yesterday morning. I never tire of the beautiful color variations of the sky and mountains.

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece measures 8" x 10". It is framed in wide/dark wood with UV/Non-glare museum glass. Enjoy a bit of California sunshine. Buy it now: $185.00 + $25 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. and Canada. Thanks for stopping by. Updated 2/2/11: Sold...to a local collector!
Copyright 2011 Monique Straub. All rights reserved

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!