"Purple Apples"

"Purple Apples"
20" x 20" Oil on Canvas
 © Monique Straub

Small pops of color are on the easel lately. I was so excited to create these luscious little gems, after touring a few model homes that featured them in guest baths. This is such an easy way to jump start your decorating. Just select the painting in your favorite colors to hang adjacent to the vanity mirror, then match towels, rugs, etc! Doesn't that sound fun?

"Purple Apples" is painted in oil on patchwork textured, gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, ready to hang and enjoy. You can purchase here and have it shipped to your door. $480 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S.

"Cactus Apples"

"Cactus Apples"
20" x 20" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

I was recently poking around on a canyon hillside and discovered this beauty. Have you every studied clumps of cactus? They sometimes grow in the most bizarre shapes and odd color combinations. The tender newer paddles are bright green, and age to an almost blue-green. The little "apples" that remain after the flower petals have dried, take on brilliant shades of pink and purple...a virtual riot of color, all on the same plant!

"Cactus Apples" is painted on 20" x 20" gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, 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. $600 + $35 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. Updated 8/10/17: Sold!

Need a big pop of color? Check out "Prickly Situation"

"Prickly Situation"
30" x 48" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

It's not often that a plant can give me goosebumps, but this baby did the trick! On a recent trip to our local Wednesday night car show, I spied the open gate to the yard of the Olaf Weighorst Museum property. The City of El Cajon moved the original log cabin home of this iconic painter of the old west to an "in-town" location, and created a wonderful museum in his honor. While his wonderful paintings grace the walls indoors, an impressive collection of rare cacti are on display throughout the grounds. Amazed at the sheer size and variety of these beautiful specimens, I was most curious with this lofty specimen, which towered above my head. Of course I've embellished on the intensity of color on these prickly paddles, but they are all actually painted in similar hues to what nature had on display. Purples, dark greens, dark blues, and even turquoise were all growing on the same plant, with explosions of bright yellow on the edges. A true feast for the eyes :)

"Prickly Situation" is painted on 30" x 48" gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, offered here ready to hang and enjoy. $1495 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S.

"Hot Nopales"

"Hot Nopales"
12" x 12" Framed Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

With weather in the triple digits this past week, a recent trip to east county resulted in a few new shots of inspiration for my upcoming show at the NTC/Liberty Station ArtWalk. The cactus garden at the Olaf Weighorst Museum, in spite of sweltering conditions, revealed hundreds of happy cactus blossoms. To my surprise, the delicate appearing blossoms were holding up quite well under the afternoon sun.

"Hot Nopales" 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. Thanks for taking the heat! Updated 11/23/14: Sold!



"Pink all Over"

"Pink all Over"
9" x 12" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub
 

I glanced out on the patio table this morning to find that my "Christmas" cactus had exploded into bloom. This cute little potted cactus has been in my family for over thirty-five years (that I can remember). It originally hung in the patio of my grandmas house, then it was passed on to my mother, and now it holds court on my back patio table, center stage. As I recall from childhood, grandma called it a Christmas cactus because it bloomed during the holiday season. I think with all the strange weather we've had here in San Diego lately, my little cactus is confused!

"Pink all Over" is framed in a wide, gold, plein air style frame with UV/non-glare museum glass.  Ready to ship to your door, or I'll refund shipping if you pick it up at my Pt. Loma studio. $225 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Thanks for looking :)