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.

"Bubble Gum Skies"

"Bubble Gum Skies"
18" x 24" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

Pink...yes, bubble gum pink. This is another in a series of fun, smaller pieces that were inspired by my recent visit to a model home community where colorful paintings were used in guest bath spaces to unite a color palette. Just hang this colorful little jewel adjacent to the guest bath mirror, and instantly, you have a color map to select towels, rugs, draperies, and really pull the room together. Pink & canary yellow towels...mmm...dreamy!

"Bubble Gum Skies" is painted in oil on gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, ready to hang and enjoy. You can purchase here and have it shipped to your door. $495 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S. Updated 6/2/18: Sold...and on its way to Kansas!

"Mid Summer Morning"

"Mid Summer Morning"
12" x 12" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub

Floppy, curly sunflowers make me happy! In fact, they are even more beautiful as they begin to curl and bow their heads. With many exciting changes on the horizon, I treated myself to a big bouquet of sunflowers today. Now let me tell you a little about the road ahead. I'm moving...again...but this time not just across the hall at Liberty Station, I'll be moving to the fun and vibrant art community of Little Italy here in San Diego. I've outgrown my pretty little studio in Barracks 19, and will spread my wings in a large, loft style studio in an historic furniture warehouse, converted to creative space. Stay tuned for more details, or visit me at my Liberty Station studio for my final "Friday Night Liberty" event on August 1st from 5-9pm.

"Mid Summer Morning" is offered framed in a wide, black plein air style frame with gold liner and UV/non-glare museum glass. Ready to hang and enjoy. You can purchase here and have it shipped to our door, or purchase here and pick up at my studio and I'll refund the shipping cost. $295 + $35 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 8/17/14: Sold...at ArtWalk NTC!

"Suns in the Garden"

"Suns in the Garden"
24" x 24" Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
© Monique Straub
 

"Suns in the Garden" was painted from a favorite photo of mine. I've painted several versions of this in pastel, and thought it time to try it in oil...big! Fall is winding down, the sunflower blooms are fading, and the vase in my studio will soon be filled with pine and holly. Seems like this year has just flown by. Already I am tasked with the planning of shows and festivals for the coming year, and also my own personal goal setting. Do you set goals for the year ahead? For me, having a written list of goals to ponder throughout the year is akin to the old story of the donkey with the stick tied to his back, carrot dangling just out of easy grasp. Notice I say "easy" grasp. I tell myself, "The goals must be an uncomfortable stretch. Too easy = Not enough progress." Now back to the studio...

"Suns in the Garden" is painted on 1-1/2" depth canvas with sides painted black, 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 at Liberty Station, Pt. Loma, and I will refund the shipping. $595 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 8/17/14: Sold...at ArtWalk NTC!

"August Breeze"

"August Breeze"
12" x 12" Framed Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub
 

I can feel it coming...the cool breeze of Fall. Not yet you say? Well here in San Diego we've had a more than mild start to summer, and I'm hoping it stays this way right into October. Breezy and cooler than normal days have extended into the beginning of August, making work in the studio more than comfy. I'm off for my yearly visit to Carmel, CA soon, and will surely see my first "pumpkin on the porch" as I always do. Can you tell I'm ready?

"August Breeze" 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. Updated 4/26/14: Sold...to a new local collector!

"Wide Awake"

"Wide Awake"
12" x 12" Framed Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub
 

I'm so excited about the upcoming ArtWalk at NTC/Liberty Station, I can't sleep! I'll pack up my entire studio and have it all on display on the grass at Ingram Plaza on August 24th & 25th. So it's back to business after a week long vacation. It's been so much fun getting back to my studio, visiting with my art buddies, and moving some paint around.  My first project was painting these big, crazy sunflowers  from Trader Joes. I was intrigued by the purple veins running through the leaves...perfect for the "challenge" painting on DailyPaintworks.com! The challenge this week is all about sunflowers, and I'm on it!

"Wide Awake" 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. Hope to see you soon. Updated 8/25/13: Sold to a new collector at ArtWalk!

"Nothing but Sunshine"

"Nothing but Sunshine"
12" x 12" Framed Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub
 

Ahh Summer...it's time to get back to the studio after a week-long 25th Wedding Anniversary cruise to Alaska! My creative batteries are overcharged with painting ideas. I took along my trusty Moleskine sketch journal and a travel watercolor set to record the daily adventures, and upon my return, three new oil paintings emerged from the drying chamber (that's my van parked in the driveway :)

"Nothing but Sunshine" 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. Hope to see you soon. Updated 7/9/13: Sold...to a new collector in Lafayette, CA...thank you :)

"Sunny Trio"

"Sunny Trio"
12" x 12" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub
 

One of my favorite sunflower motifs, Sunny Trio is just in time for spring. I've painted similar sunflower pieces in various color combos, and I never tire of their happy faces. A visit to the local farmers market has given me renewed inspiration for many more floral paintings, along with a few fun bell pepper and tomatoe works as well.

"Sunny Trio" is offered framed in a wide black, plein air style frame with gold liner and UV/non-glare museum glass. Ready to hang and enjoy. Purchase here and have it shipped to your door, or purchase here and pick up at my Liberty Station studio and I'll refund the shipping cost. $295 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 4/27/13: Sold!

"Fall Arrival"

"Fall Arrival"
8" x 8" Soft Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub
 

My local Trader Joes is just loaded with beautiful fall flowers this time of year. In addition to pumpkins (I'll be painting that next) these sunflowers are just the thing to brighten your day!

They are painted in soft pastel on sandpaper and framed in a wide, dark brown wood, plein air style frame with thin gold liner and UV/non-glare museum glass. It's easy to purchase here and have it shipped, or arrange for pick up at my studio and I will refund the shipping cost. $185 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada.

"Fall Fiesta"

"Fall Fiesta"
8" x 8" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub

 

The colors of fall mingle with the colors of fiesta in this whimsical painting of sunflowers on a windy day.

 

The sights and smells of fall are all around. Pumpkins, cinnamon brooms and crows overhead. It's a great time to snuggle up with my sweetie in front of a roaring fire. Trouble is...it's 88 degrees here in San Diego today! Oh well, I'm sure fall will get here eventually!

 

"Fall Fiesta" is offered framed in a wide, dark brown, plein air style frame with thin gold liner and UV/non-glare museum glass. Ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it here and have it shipped. $185 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada.
 

"A Bit Breezy"

"A Bit Breezy"
Pastel on Board, 12"x9"
(c) 2012 Monique Straub

Waving sunflower heads on tall green stalks...always a great subject! I've been working on a specially prepared gatorboard surface for the last few paintings, and it renders a great "brushstroke" texture. It's fun to "change it up" sometimes, and I've enjoyed this technique in the past.

Offered in a wide, gold, plein air style frame with UV/non-glare museum glass. Ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it here and have it shipped. $225 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada.

Joy of Spring #2

"Joy of Spring #2"
Soft Pastel on Sandpaper
8" x 8"

I'm busily preparing my work for ArtWalk Little Italy today, and while knee deep in frames, glass and pastel dust, I realized that we are only 29 days away! Since I receive many requests for smaller works in "pairs," here is the companion piece to "Joy of Spring #1". Sparkling and alive with iridescent pastel, these pieces are available individually or as a pair.

"Joy of Spring #2" is offered framed in wide black wood with gold liner and UV/non-glare museum glass. Buy it here $150 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 4/28/12: Sold at Artwalk!

Daily Painters "Joy of Spring #1"

"Joy of Spring #1"
Soft Pastel on Sandpaper"
8" x 8"

With all of the recent storms, the yard is emerald green. The rain has washed the faces of the succulents, and I just can't wait for the sunflowers to start their show in the back yard. I think a few bird paintings are in the plan also, since I woke this morning at 4:30 to the sound of birds singing in the dark. They're happy it's spring too.

"Joy of Spring #1" is offered framed in wide black wood with gold liner and UV/non-glare museum glass. Buy it here $150 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. And yes, there will be a "Joy of Spring #2" that would make a great companion piece to this, same size, subject and color palette. Updated 4/28/12: Sold at ArtWalk!

Daily Painters "Fall Faces"

Spent a day among the sunflowers today. Their fall faces have survived another day of Santa Ana winds whipping at their stalks.
Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece measures 8" x 8" and is framed in wide dark wood with thin gold liner and UV/non-glare museum glass. Striking! Buy it now $165 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada.  Updated 12/23/11: Sold...and under some lucky art lovers Christmas Tree.

Daily Painters "Sundance"

Flower heads swinging in the warm summer breeze, it's back to the sunflower forest. I painted indoors at my Spanish Village studio today, but with the wide open doors, a pesty bee made an entrance, hummed around my head while I tried to work, and finally landed in the middle of my painting! I must have scared him while trying to shoo him away, since he left his mark on my work. I just can't seem to escape the critics... 

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece measures 12" x 16" and is framed in wide dark wood with UV/non-glare museum glass. (Non visible bee enhancement no extra charge) Buy it now $365 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. and Canada. Updated 8/8/11: Sold...and on its way to Poughkeepsie, NY!

Daily Painters "Good Morning Sunshine"

When waking up to fresh sunflowers, one can't help but smile. Try it...place a vase of these glowing beauties in your bedroom where you can see them first thing in the morning. They're sure to light up your day.

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece measures 8" x 8" and is framed in wide dark wood with gold liner and UV/non-glare museum glass. Buy it now price $150 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada. Updated 7/25/11: Sold...to a new collector in Denver!

Daily Painters "Sunswept"

Funny weather here in San Diego...first it feels like Summer...then it gets cold...today it feels like Fall. I recently spent a beautiful morning snapping photos in the "sunflower forest" of one of my collectors, Roberta H. Forest is the perfect word to describe the hundreds of sunflowers she so lovingly tended. She invited me to experience "the big droop" when the flower heads finally bow to the heat of the summer.  Snapping photos under these towering blooms was pure joy for this artist, and her beautiful yard had my green thumb throbbing! So thank you again to Roberta, you bring some much needed sunshine to us all.

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece measures 11" x 14" and is framed in wide dark wood with UV/non-glare museum glass. Buy it now price $295 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada. Ready to hang and enjoy. Thanks for looking :) Updated 10/2/11: Sold, and on its way to Corpus Christi, Texas!

Daily Painters "Sunny Times"

It's almost time...loading the van tonight for Mission Federal Artwalk in San Diego! A "Sunny Time" it will be, with over 200 artists in the streets of Little Italy. If you're in the area, stop by my booth #313 at the corner of India and Cedar Streets and say hello. Hours are 11 am - 6 pm, this weekend, Saturday April 30 & Sunday May1.

Since my new business cards sport the image of a similar sunflower composition I painted some time ago, I thought it would be fun to have another original sunflower painting in my booth for the event.

This piece is painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, measures 12" x 12" and is framed in wide dark wood with thin gold liner and UV/non-glare museum glass. Buy it now price $295 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada. Updated 4/30/11: Sold...at ArtWalk!

Please note: This weekend all of the pieces on my blog are subject to prior sale. I will attempt to disable the Paypal button immediately as they are sold at the festival. Thanks.

Daily Painters "Suns of Spring Two"

Painting sunflowers is probably one of the most relaxing activities I can think of. There's something about the shape, movement and vibrant color that must be hypnotic to me. The added bonus...they make us smile!
Painted in soft pastel on sanded panel, this piece measures 12" x 16" and is presented in a coordinating wood frame, ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it Now price: $350.00 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. Thanks for looking. Updated 10/6/10: Sold...to a new local collector.