Palm Fiesta

"Palm Fiesta"
20" x 20" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

Things are hot in the studio this week! Not only is it 100+ degrees outside, I've turned up the heat on my studio hours, getting ready for several upcoming shows. Check out the "Events" tab on my blog for more information. We would love to see you at an event soon.

"Palm Fiesta" is painted in the warm colors of summer, 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. $480 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S.

"Torrey Breeze"

"Torrey Breeze"
12" x 16" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

A hike along the coastal bluffs, the sound of waves crashing below, and the wind whistling in the trees...a recipe for painting inspiration. Torrey Pines State Park has been a favorite painting subject of mine for years. The shapes, the seasonal colors and the open sky are really fun to paint. Having received several requests for works in smaller and more affordable sizes, I have recently begun to paint a few of my favorite scenes and make them available here. I always appreciate your feedback :)

"Torrey Breeze" is painted on 1-1/2" depth gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, 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 3/3/17: Sold...and on its way to Pasadena, CA!

"By Moonlight"

"By Moonlight"
18" x 36" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

Isn't nature brilliant? Studying the graceful tree forms during a recent road trip through the "Seventeen Mile Drive" in Carmel was so relaxing...and I noticed something interesting. Taking this drive on a beautiful moonlit evening sets the artful trunks at center stage, with foliage a mere supporting role. While painting this piece, I felt like I was right back in the passenger seat...pondering my next painting. Another trip to the beautiful Carmel/Monterey coast is in the works for our 29th wedding anniversary. I can't wait!

"By Moonlight" is painted in oil on 1-1/2" depth gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black. Two canvases, side by side, 18" x 36" each, offered ready to hang and enjoy. $900 with free shipping  anywhere in the continental U.S.

"California Winter"

"California Winter"
36" x 36" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

Palm fronds rustling in the warm Santa Ana breeze, skies clear and bright, and the deep blue of the ocean...November in San Diego. I'm a native San Diegan, and I've never lived anywhere else. When I had my studio in Balboa Park, I was always surprised by the occasional comments of mid-westerners seeing a palm tree for the first time in amazement. They're everywhere here, like big weeds, but oh so fun to paint. I'm currently working on a series of palms in desert and coastal settings, and many have found new homes!

"California Winter" is painted on a 36" x 36" gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, offered here ready to hang and enjoy. Updated 4/15/17: This painting SOLD.

Point Loma Lighthouse 2016

"Point Loma Lighthouse 2016"
12" x 16" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub

Jumping back into the pastel box today! This little piece is one of my collector favorites, and I have painted various versions and color palettes from this vantage point. I am preparing a few of these (and many other smaller pieces perfect for gift giving), for my upcoming show at Point Loma Tea in Liberty Station. I will be there for a "Meet the Artist" event during Friday Night Liberty on December 2nd from 5-8pm, and several of my pieces will be featured in the tea shop throughout the month. Stay tuned for more info. in upcoming posts. If you just can't wait that long...

"Point Loma Lighthouse 2016" is painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, and framed in a wide dark wood, plein air style frame with UV Museum glass, 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. $395 + $35 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S.

"Back Road Boogie"

"Back Road Boogie"
36" x 36" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

Preparations continue in the studio today, with the San Diego Festival of the Arts just weeks away on June 11-12, at beautiful Waterfront Park in Downtown San Diego. New paintings are ready, and big savings will be offered on 2015 paintings to make way for new works. Be sure to mark your calendars!

Windy, late spring days, and the transition from fall colors to spring colors are the inspiration for "Back Road Boogie." One of my favorite hiking areas in the back country of Poway provided the perfect setting for a springtime walk through the trees.

"Back Road Boogie" is offered here read to hang, 36" x 36" with sides of gallery wrapped 1-1/2" canvas painted black.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 8/13/16: Sold!

"Just Beachy"

"Just Beachy"
12" x 16" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub

An unusually clear and warm Spring is upon us here in San Diego...and I'm not complaining! Crisp blue skies and beautiful amber sunsets are the perfect inspiration for my latest works in pastel. Preparations continue in the studio for upcoming art shows, with the Mission Federal ArtWalk in Little Italy at the end of April the first of the season.

"Just Beachy" is painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, offered framed in a wide, dark brown wood, 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 it up at my studio/gallery on 30th Street in North Park, and I will refund the shipping. $375 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada.
Updated 3/30/16: Yippee...sold!

"California Color Burst"

"California Color Burst"
12" x 16" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub

With Spring on the near horizon, the hillsides are alive with color! Brightly colored native scrub, and new growth from the recent rains have greens all aglow, and flowers making their appearance. I love to pump up the volume and give my pastel box a workout this time of year. This is another of my Central California back road scenes, and one I have done before in a different color palette.

"California Color Burst" is painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, offered framed in a wide, dark brown wood, 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 it up at my studio/gallery on 30th Street in North Park, and I will refund the shipping. $375 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada. Updated 5/1/16: Sold...to a new collector at Mission Federal ArtWalk :)

The Olive Grove

"The Olive Grove"
36" x 36" Oil on Gallery Canvas
© Monique Straub

It was another wonderful walk through the back country here in San Diego. My hubby and I were on our way to the buffet at one of our local Indian casinos, and there it was...a beautiful old olive grove. The trees were probably well over 50 years old, and the new spring grasses beneath them were a brilliant green with flickers of sunlight flashing through. Yes, inspiration happens just this easily when you're keeping your eyes open to the beauty that surrounds us on a daily basis.

"The Olive Grove" is offered here, ready to hang and enjoy, 36" x 36" on 1-1/2" gallery wrap canvas. You may purchase here and have it shipped to your door, or purchase here and pick it up at my studio/gallery at Art on 30th in North Park, and I will refund the shipping.  Updated 7/30/16: Sold...to a new San Diego collector!

"Torrey Dance"

"Torrey Dance"
12" x 16" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub

I'm revisiting on of my favorite images from Torrey Pines State Park today. The fun and playful shapes of the trees just keep me coming back. I'm often asked if I do my work in a larger format than most of the pastel pieces I offer in 12" x 16" and 14" x 18", and the answer is yes, if you would like to have it framed on your own. Since I do all of my own framing, once the size is larger than this, the glass and wood frames get too heavy for my grumpy back to handle. In addition to the option of pastel, I also paint in oil on canvas in the same style, and this offers a better way to get something large for that special place.

"Torrey Dance" is offered framed in a wide, dark brown, plein air style frame with UV/non-glare museum glass, ready to hang and enjoy. $365 + $35 to ship anywhere in the continental US, or you can pick it up at my studio in Spanish Village, Balboa Park, and I'll refund the shipping fee.
Updated 6/21/15: Sold!

"The Guardians"

"The Guardians"
12" x 16" Framed Pastel
© Monique Straub

This new piece revisits a favorite photo image of mine. Taken on the exit road of a beautiful winery in Sonoma, California. The breeze was blowing and the golden sun was bouncing off the tips of these beautiful purplish red plum trees. It was a riot of color, and such a strong bit of natural design with the deep shadows and clear blue sky, dotted with cotton candy clouds. I just love that place...can't you tell?

"The Guardians" is offered framed in a wide, dark brown, plein air style frame with UV/non-glare museum glass. Ready to hang and enjoy. $365 + $35 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada, or pick up at my Spanish Village studio and I'll refund the shipping. Updated 4/26/15: Sold!

"California Farmlands Two"

"California Farmlands Two"
36" x 48" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

The smell of deep brown earth and row upon row of greenery are sure to jump start my creative thinking. Using a photo I took during a drive through Central California a few years back, the fun of playing with color and movement quickly take center stage. I'm often asked if I ever draw or paint more "realistically," and the answer is "I try not to." My early art training was in technical illustration, very tight and exacting drawings of machinery and tools. I was really good at it, since I'm pretty much a perfectionist, but it was boring as all get out! Playing with my own color and exaggerated shapes is much more fun.

"California Farmlands Two" 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 in Little Italy, and I will refund the shipping. $2495 + $65 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 10/10/15: Sold...and destined for the collectors new wine room!

"Torrey Pines Path"

"Torrey Pines Path"
12" x 16" Pastel on Sanded Board
© Monique Straub

I hope this post finds you all enjoying a wonderful Labor Day weekend, and I would like to welcome all of the new folks that signed up to follow my work at ArtWalk NTC and NoLI Nights events. The end of summer is always a busy time in the studio. I have been working on many new pieces that will be shown at my next event, The La Jolla Art & Wine Festival, October 11 & 12. Of course, since you're signed up to receive paintings as they are completed, you'll get priority viewing of everything new. Upcoming pieces include work in pastel, as well as a few larger pieces in oil on canvas.


"Torrey Pines Path" is offered framed in a wide, brown plein air style frame, with UV/non-glare museum glass. Ready to hang and enjoy. You can purchase here and have it shipped to your door, or purchase here and pick up at my Little Italy studio, and I'll refund the shipping cost. $365 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Thanks for stopping by :) Updated 1/1/14: Sold!

"The Back Country"

"The Back Country"
24" x 36"
© Monique Straub
 

Spring has given way to Summer here in San Diego, and today is scheduled to be a sizzler. With temps in the triple digits, our beautiful back country will slowly make the transition from green to shades of gold and sepia. I drive past this wonderful old olive grove each time I make the trip east to my favorite casino. These graceful, twisting trunks have been turning my head each time I drive past, and I finally decided to stop the car and spend a little time snapping away with my camera. Something about the interesting shapes of trees always keeps me coming back. I expect several more paintings from this area in the coming weeks.

"The Back Country" is painted on 1-1/2" thick gallery wrapped canvas, with sides painted black, 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. $1295 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 8/16/14: Sold...and ArtWalk NTC!

"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!

"Sonoma Springtime" & "Small Business Saturday"

"Sonoma Springtime"
12" x 12" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub
 

Just one example of the original works available at 15% off for Small Business Saturday! Check out my website to see many more available "ready to hang" pastel and oil paintings. Purchase in my Liberty Station studio today, on Small Business Saturday from 10am - 3pm, or through my website and I'll refund the savings :)

"Sonoma Springtime" 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 your door, or purchase here and pick up at my Pt. Loma studio and I'll refund the shipping cost and 15% savings. $295 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada.
Updated 2/15: Sold, to a lovely couple from Texas!

"Hillside Oaks"

"Hillside Oaks"
12" x 12" Framed Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

 

My paintbrush took me back to Central California today. Oak trees dancing in the wind, hillside grasses golden from the sun. These smaller format paintings are just the ticket for holiday gifts, or that special little spot in your home that could use a pop of color.

"Hillside Oaks" is offered framed in a gold crackle finish float frame, ready to hang and enjoy, 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 + $35 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada.

"California Backroads"

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

Central California backroads are a never ending source of inspiration for many artists. This beautiful scene was on the gravel road through Fort Hunter Liggett, leading to San Antonio de Padua Mission. Just adjacent to the Mission is another building that appears to be a huge cathedral, but was originally built as the personal hunting lodge of William Randolph Hurst. Quite an interesting drive, in an area that you would rarely notice when traveling, if not for the small sign on Highway 101.

"California Backroads" 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. $375 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 2/25/15: Sold...and on its way to Oregon!

"Blue Horizon Two"

"Blue Horizon Two"
12" x 16" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub
 

I'm revisiting another favorite scene today. I've had a few requests for pieces that are sold, and I'm relaxing in the studio and painting to catch up a bit. The photo for this piece was taken at the Torrey Pines State Park, looking south toward the coastline of La Jolla. The transition of seasons from Summer to Fall yields a mix of colored foliage and wind whipped treetops.

"Blue Horizon Two" 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. $375 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 11/1/13: Sold...to a collector in Washoe Valley, Nevada!

"High Humidity"

"High Humidity"
12" x 12" Framed Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub
 

After spending a fabulous week on an Alaska cruise, the return to Southern California weather was a bit of a shock. Yes, I can hear you now..."What's to complain about with San Diego weather?" Well, it's this...my hair is limp and I'm not liking it! Big, puffy clouds over the San Diego skyline are a beautiful site, but inland where I live, it's a different story. It's humidity city right now, and I even captured a mosquito in the house.  I guess sometimes we just don't know how good we have it, so I'll just have to paint my troubles away :)

 

"High Humidity" 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 8/25/13: Sold to a new collector at ArtWalk!