"Saturday Morning"

"Saturday Morning"
12" x 24" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

Headed out for a walk in the trees this morning. As a city dweller here in the burbs of San Diego, I'm lucky to have a nearby lake to stroll. The smell of sage in the morning is almost as pleasing as the smell of freshly brewed coffee...almost.

"Saturday Morning" 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. $400 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S. Updated 5/14/18: Sold...and on its way to Arizona!

September Shadows

"September Shadows"
36" x 36" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

Hiking through the back country of San Diego is always a sure bet to inspire a new painting. Many of you have visited my North Park studio, and know first hand how I begin each of my paintings from a photo I have taken. These photos are mainly a "jumping off point" and provide basic composition. From that point, the fun begins! Color is what it's all about for me. Yes, I could spend hours upon hours rendering a photo perfect scene, then paint it with all the exact colors...but what fun would that be?

"September Shadows" is painted in the vivid colors of my imagination, 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. $1495 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S.

"Candy Land"

"Candy Land"
11" x 14" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub

Having noticed the recent popularity of the color pink, I just had to try my hand at incorporating it into one of my landscape paintings. For some reason, I never use pink, but after working on this piece, I think I kind of like it! Using a smaller format than I usually work on, the reference photo for this piece was taken in the Central California back country, and I've painted this scene before in various color palettes.

"Candy Land" is painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, offered framed in a dark brown wood, 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 it up at my studio at Art on 30th, and I will refund the shipping. $325 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada.

"California Gold"

"California Gold"
12" x 16" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub

Another image from my California series, "California Gold" is located off the backroads near Paso Robles. I just loved the interesting contours of the hills and the multi colored scrub  brush. It's all pretty dry this time of year, especially with our current drought, but the golden color of the hills is beautiful just as well.

"California Gold" is framed in a wide, dark brown, plein air style frame, 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 in Spanish Village, Balboa Park and I will refund the shipping fee. $365 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada. Updated 2/14/16: Sold to a lovely San Diego couple for Valentine's Day :)

"Riverdance"

"Riverdance"
24" x 24" Oil on Gallery Canvas
© Monique Straub

Wind rushes clouds through the sky, ripples on the river lap at their tule clad banks, the bushes rustle a song...it's another day on the river. If no one is there to hear it...does it still make a sound?

"Riverdance" is painted on 1-1/2" thick gallery wrapped canvas. The sides of this piece are painted black and it is ready to hang, unframed. 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. $525 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 11/23/14: Sold!

Rainy Lane

"Rainy Lane"
14" x 18" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub
 

Another favorite image of mine, the reference photo for this piece was taken on a rainy day right here in my own neighborhood. I was pulling into the parking lot of a local shopping center after a cloud burst of rain, and noticed these interesting tree reflections in the street and on the sidewalk. Inspiration can strike at any time!

"Rainy Lane" 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 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 3/15: Sold...and on its way to Texas!

"Forest Path"

"Forest Path"
12" x 12" Framed Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub
 

Still having fun with the oil paints. This is another scene I've also painted in pastel. I still find that mixing the colors in oil is so much more of an interupption than when painting in pastel, but I'm now starting out each piece by doing all the color mixing before I start to paint. It's easier to work out and doesn't mess with my flow :) I'm still working with a limited palette, but now I know why some oil painters work with 10-15 colors to begin with!

"Forest Path" 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 3/19/14: Sold!