"Just Apples"

"Just Apples"
12" x 12" Framed Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub
 

Dipping into the new box of pastels last week was a real treat. It's funny how my work gravitates toward favorite colors until they are worn down to little round nubs, only to find that months go by before I realize my entire color palette has changed. Today's painting is the pastel version of a very large oil painting completed a few years ago. The composition is fun, and you will soon probably see another large version in oil.

"Just Apples" 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.
$295 + $35 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 4/27/15: Sold!

Daily Painters "Be Mine Valentine"

"Be Mine Valentine"
8" x 8"
Soft Pastel on Sandpaper

Yes, Valentines Day is right around the corner. I was reminded today when I saw the advertisement for The Marine Room Valentine Day special in the newspaper. For anyone planning a visit to San Diego, The Marine Room offers spectacular dining right on the sands of La Jolla. One of my favorite times to go there is when they hold their "High Tide" breakfast. That's when the waves crash against the big plate glass windows as you dine on their fabulous (and very foo-foo) breakfast buffet. Not for the faint of wallet, but maybe put it on your bucket list :)

"Be Mine Valentine" is offered framed in wide, black wood with thin gold liner and UV/non-glare museum glass. Ready for gift giving! Buy it here $150 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 4/20/12: Purchased from my Spanish Village Studio by a new collector!

Daily Painters "You're Getting Sleepy..."

I've recently been invited to join the Daily Paintworks online painting group as one of their featured artists. Weekly painting challenges is one of the fun things this group has to offer, along with art auctions and great daily art offerings from around the world. This is one of those fun "challenge" paintings. The object here was to paint a fully colorized version of this image, that was provided to the artists in black and white.  My focus was immediately drawn to the crystal hanging in the window, and a little voice popped into my head, "You're getting sleepy..."

You can check out the challenge entries here.

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece measures 9" x 12" and is framed in wide dark wood with UV/non-glare glass. Buy it now price $260 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada.

Daily Painters "Gift of Spring"

Colorful and lively, flower arrangements always get my attention. This perky bunch of tulips is the pick of the day. Although it may be a bit difficult to see in this photo, I had fun with a bit of sparkly copper texture in the underpainting on this piece. That "salmony" pink results from the scenes still etched in my mind from a recent weekend at "Viva Las Vegas"!

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece measures 12" x 12" and is framed with UV/non-glare museum glass in wide dark wood with thin gold liner...very chi-chi ! Buy it now price $295 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada. Updated 8/31/11: Sold...and on its way to Norrkoping, Sweden!

Daily Painters "Tutti Fruity"

There's never a better way to kick off a week back in the studio than to have fun with a good still life. I had to laugh at myself while painting this piece, since Little Richard was playing in my head the entire time..."Tutti fruity - ohh Rudy - Tutti Fruity - ohh Rudy - whooooooo!" Yeah, sometimes I'm strange like that :)

This piece is painted in soft pastel on sandpaper. It measures 9" x 12" and is offered framed in a coordinating wood frame and ready to hang. All of my latest pieces are framed in UV/TRU Vue Museum Glass, so they really pop with little glare. Buy it now price: $260.00 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. Thanks for looking. Updated 8/20/10: Sold...to a new admirer in Kent, WA.

Painting a Day "Veggie Fest"

Always eager to try something new, I've started to participate in the "Different Strokes" bi-weekly artist challenge. The blog host posts a new image every two weeks (on a Wednesday) and interested artists paint their interpretation of the subject photo, then post it on the blog. It's really interesting to see the many different ways of interpreting the same subject. It's really fun. This piece is painted in soft pastel on sanded paper and measures 11" x 14", framed in a coordinating wood frame and ready to hang.