"Garden Gala"

"Garden Gala"
12" x 16" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub

Fluffy headed Poppies...dancing in the wind on tall curved stems...it's party time! Another of my newly painted pastel pieces, headed for Mission Federal ArtWalk in Little Italy at the end of this month, April 30 - May 1. I've been painting, framing, and snapping photos at a fever pitch...and I'm excited to show you what's new. I hope you have a chance to stop by my booth #318 at the corner of India & Cedar Street, and take a look. Not going to make it? You can purchase any of my available works right here on my website.

"Garden Gala" is painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, offered framed in a dark brown wood, plein air style frame, ready to hang and enjoy.  You may purchase here and have it shipped to your door, or or purchase here and pick it up at my studio at Art on 30th, and I will refund the shipping. $375 + $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 :)

"Summer Fronds"

"Summer Fronds"
12" x 16" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub

Spring gives way to an early summer here in San Diego, and the palm fronds are already rustling in the Santa Ana winds. It always brings a smile to my face to hear the tourists comment with delight when they see their first palm tree! I'm so used to seeing them, and sweeping up their messy little seed balls, it's fun to imagine seeing one for the first time.  

"Summer Fronds" 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 4/27/15: Sold!

Los Penasquitos Preserve

"Los Penasquitos Preserve"
12" x 16" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub

A short burst of rain in the San Diego area has given me lots of ideas to work with. Our sky is usually "severe clear" with not a cloud in sight. A trip up the coast near Del Mar was just the inspiration I needed to capture fleeting clouds and the beautiful greens and oranges of the Los Penasquitos Preserve, with Hwy.1 and Torrey Pines State Park in the distance. Each year I receive an invitation to paint at the Torrey Pines Plein Air event, but wind, fog and rain have made me think twice. Maybe 2015 is my year!

"Los Penasquitos Preserve" 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 4/27/15: Sold!

2015 Studio News!

SPECIAL ORDER COMMISSION - SOLD
"Trailside Oaks"
18" x 24" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub

Wow...already two weeks into January and this is my first blog post of the year! Things have been busy in the studio, and I would like to thank you all for making 2014 another amazing year for Monique Straub Studio/Gallery! I so enjoyed corresponding with everyone, and creating special "one-of-a-kind" paintings for so many of you that enjoy my art.

In addition to my participation in a few new shows in 2014, one of the highlights of the year was my move to a larger "working" studio in Little Italy. The expansion allowed me to offer larger oil paintings and work on large scale commission pieces, which have been very well received. The down side to the new studio is public access is not as easy. To solve that problem, I have work on display at Spanish Village Art Center, Studio 34A (Balboa Park), that can be viewed 7 days a week from 11am to 4pm, and all available work is also shown on my website.

With my first show of 2015 coming up at Mission Federal ArtWalk in Little Italy, on April 25th, it promises to be another fun filled year in the studio.

Thank you all again for your enthusiastic support of my work, without you  I could not be doing the work I love!

"November Sundown"

"November Sundown"
12" x 12" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub

The cold, crisp evenings and clear forever skies of November provide some of the most beautiful sunsets here in San Diego. A stunning backdrop for the shadows of palms rustling in the breeze. The historic Hotel Del Coronado is always a favorite destination for John and I between the end of November and the beginning of December. We love to sit in the lounge and snack, enjoying the idea that we can be tourists in our own town!

"November Sundown" is offered framed in a wide, brown 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 Little Italy studio, and I'll refund the shipping cost. $325 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 10/11/15: Sold...and on its way to Florida!

"Speedy"

"Speedy"
12" x 12" Framed Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub
 

What is it about dogs that always makes us smile? I was browsing a recent "doggie" event at Liberty Station, and met "Speedy" the terrier mix. He reminded me of my little "Skidmore" the Schnauzer, who now looks down on me from doggie heaven. Since this was an adoption event, it was really hard not to bring them all home. "Speedy" was sporting red bandana, and melting hearts left and right! I'm sure he found a wonderful home that day.

"Speedy" is offered framed in a wide, brown 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.

Would you love a doggie portrait of your own little sweetheart? Drop me an email and we'll make it happen!

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!

"Calico Dreams"

"Calico Dreams"
Soft Pastel on Sandpaper
8" x 8"

Ok...this is it...my once yearly cat painting. This is my entry in the Sixth Annual "Catnip Connection," to be held June 20 - July 2nd at Gallery 21 in Spanish Village Art Center, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA. This all media exhibition honors animals of the feline persuasion, domestic and wild. A portion of all sales will go to support the Feral Cat Coalition, an organization offering spay/neuter clinics for stray cats in San Diego County. You are invited to attend the reception on Sunday, June 24, from 4:30- 6:30 p.m. and meet the artists.

Offered framed in wide black wood with thin gold liner and UV/non-glare museum glass, this piece will be up for grabs at the exhibit only.

"Puddles #2"

"Puddles #2"
Soft Pastel on Sandpaper
12" x 16"

Today I'm revisiting an image that was my first painting of 2012. The first time I painted this scene it was 8" x 10", and it was so much fun I figured I would try another a bit larger, with a similar color palette. I spied this scene on a rainy day as I pulled into the parking lot of Best Buy in La Mesa. Cell phone cameras are really a handy thing...I just rolled down the window of the car and snapped away!

Framed in wide dark wood with UV/non-glare glass, this piece is ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it here and have it shipped or stop by my studio at Spanish Village Art Center and pick it up there :) $365 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 6/6/12: Sold!

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 "Ready for Pasta"

An artists brain never sleeps, and creating art from a recent trip to the local farmers market was more than I could resist. Surrounded by the sights and smells of fresh produce is what summertime is all about.

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece measures 12" x 12" . It is offered ready to hang, in a coordinating wood frame with Tru-Vue Museum Glass. Buy it now price: $295 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. Thanks for looking. Updated 11/5/10: Sold...and shipped to Poughkeepsie, NY!