Sonoma Hills

"Sonoma Hills"
9" x 12" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub



Whew...the holidays took their toll at my house...I just noticed that it has been about two weeks since I've picked up the pastels! It's been a busy time and lots of fun, but I'm excited to get back into the studio.

Last year I decided I would try something fun and number each of my paintings as I painted them...that lasted a few weeks, then I must have had a senior moment and lost track. Well, I'm going to try it again this year, so here is painting #1. It is from an image I took while vacationing in the wine country last summer. I think rolling hills and vineyards are tops on my list for subject matter, they are just so fun to paint.

Sonoma Hills is offered framed 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, or I'll refund shipping if you would like to pick it up at my Pt. Loma/Liberty Station studio. $225 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you had a wonderful holiday season!

Daily Painters "Vineyard Road"

Fall is just around the corner, my favorite time of year,

for eating big fat bratwurst, and drinking pumpkin beer.

My favorite color palette, for painting vineyard scenes, 

it's just around the corner from spooky Halloween.

A time for piling firewood, and raking dry fall leaves,

this time of year is perfect for weekend days in threes.

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece measures 8" x 10" and is framed in wide, dark wood with UV/non-glare museum glass. Ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it now $175 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 9/4/11: Sold...to my top collector here in San Diego! 

Daily Painters "Cabernet on my mind..."

Remembering scenes from Sonoma, I'm thinking of planting grape vines in my back yard. Grandma had grape vines with huge, dark purple grapes she called Muscats. The warm summer air was filled with the humming sounds of big, fuzzy, black and yellow bees, along with the sweet smell of warm grapes on the vine. They exploded in my mouth, and stained my white socks.

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece measures 12" x 9" and is framed in wide dark wood with UV/non-glare museum glass. Buy it now price $260 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada. Thanks for stopping by :)  Updated 10/18/11: Sold...to a visiting out of state collector!

Daily Painters "Wine Country Walk"

I'm counting the days until my next show at the San Diego Holiday Arts Festival. Over 200 Craftspeople & Fine Artists will take over the Del Mar Fairgrounds for this three-day show on Thanksgiving weekend, November 26-27-28. I'll be posting a discount coupon and more information in the coming days.

I just finished this piece for the show. It is painted in soft pastel on sandpaper and the image measures 18" x 24", matted to 22" x 28". It will be available for local pick up only, and will be on display at the show. Framed in wide dark wood with black mat and UV/non-glare museum glass, this piece is a beauty! Buy it before the show price: $695 - but remember, local pick up only, no shipping available on this one. See you at the show. Updated 3/28/11: This piece is sold.
Copyright 2010 Monique Straub. All rights reserved. 

Daily Painters "California Colors Two"

Day two of my California Colors adventure, here is another scene from my travels. One would never think the Eucalyptus trees, native to Australia, would make their way into the fields of Central California. I am always drawn to these trees for some reason... maybe because their tall slender trunks always make for easy compositional balance. This is actually a great companion piece to the painting I posted yesterday. Same color palette, size and framing.

Painted in soft pastel on sand paper, this piece measures 12" x 12" and is framed in coordinating dark wood, and protected with UV/Non-glare Museum Glass. It's ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it now price: $295.00 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. and Canada. Updated 1/22/11: Sold!

Daily Painters - "California Colors #1"

My thoughts are back to a recent trip to Sonoma. The views along the way in Central California are some of my favorite to paint. Planted rows of everything you can imagine, and hillsides dotted with Oak trees. So glad the farmers spared the Oaks...they add so much character to the landscape.

Painted in soft pastel on sand paper, this piece measures 12" x 12" and is framed in coordinating dark wood, and protected with UV/Non-glare Museum Glass. It's ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it now price: $295.00 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. and Canada. Updated 4/30/11: Sold at ArtWalk!

Daily Painters "Sonoma Road #2"

It's back to memories of Sonoma today. There are endless inspirations while driving the back roads and exploring all of the wineries this area has to offer. Crisp, clean air...clear blue sky...and the smell of greenery all around makes this one of my favorite places to visit.

This piece measures 11" x 14" and is painted in soft pastel on sandpaper. Offered in a coordinating wood frame with UV/Non-glare museum glass, it is ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it now price: $315 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada. Updated 12/6/10: Sold...to another new collector in Gig Harbor, WA.

Painting a Day "Wine Country #1"

Ahh...a nice glass of cabernet, a big box of pastels and plenty of time. The result...here you have it! After a wonderful vacation in Sonoma, I have so many "wine country" scenes swirling around in my memory, the options are endless.

This painting measures 12" x 16" and is offered in a coordinating wood frame ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it now price: $350 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. Thanks for looking. Updated 8/1/10: Sold to a San Diego collector.