"Poppy Crazy"

"Poppy Crazy"
18" x 24" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

Yes, "Poppy Crazy"...that's what one of my collectors has described as the condition of her back yard. The abnormally warm temperatures here in San Diego have contributed to the current explosion of color, and I'm just giddy, hopping around with my camera in hand. Many more poppy, sunflower, and flowering tree paintings are sure to follow!

"Poppy Crazy" is painted on 1-1/2" depth gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, ready to hang and enjoy. Purchase this beautiful painting here and have it shipped to your door. $495 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S.

"Happy Dance"

"Happy Dance"
12" x 16" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

My office for the day at the Pt. Loma Garden Tour

Yes, I was a happy artist this past Saturday, sitting in a beautiful garden beside a waterfall, painting away, when two of the paintings I had on display at the Pt. Loma Garden Tour found a new home. A full day of painting resulted in the painting above, appropriately titled "Happy Dance." It's not often that I dust off my plein air easel and paint outdoors, but I know I'll be doing it again soon.

"Happy Dance" is painted in oil on 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. $450 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. Updated 7/31/17: Sold!

"Poppy Magic"

"Poppy Magic"
20" x 20" Oil on Gallery Canvas
© Monique Straub

I was recently invited by Adelman Fine Art to paint "live" in front of the gallery, as a represented artist in their current show "Landscape & Bloom." Being that I'm primarily a "studio" painter, and not necessarily much of a "performer," panic ensued! Dusting off my little used plein air easel, and packing the necessary paint and brushes, I checked and rechecked my supplies and off I went. Now that it's over, and the trauma has subsided, I'm happy to report that I had a wonderful time and met a lot of great folks. This is really only the second time I've painted outdoors, with the first time being at the San Diego County Fair Plein Air Contest last July, which was also lots of fun and something I plan on doing again this year.

"Poppy Magic" is the fruit of my sidewalk effort, with final touches completed back in the studio. Painted in oil on 1-1/2" depth 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. Updated 5/4/17: Sold...to a local collector!

"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.

"Poppy Persuasion"

"Poppy Persuasion"
30" x 48" Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
© Monique Straub

Every once in a while, a wild and different idea pops into my head. I typically enjoy painting landscape scenes, but on occasion my mind wanders to something purely whimsical. Botanical and still life subjects usually satisfy this craving, and there are several more of these types of paintings waiting in the wings. The movement of plants in the wind plays a big part of these motifs, and color continues to take center stage.

"Poppy Persuasion" is offered ready to hang and enjoy on 1-1/2" gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black. Updated 5/5/17: Sold...thank you Adelman Fine Art :)

"Poppin"

"Poppin"
8" x 8" framed oil on canvas
© Monique Straub

After another great ArtWalk weekend, I'm back at the easel having fun creating for my next show at the La Jolla Festival of the Arts on June 20-21. These smaller original oil paintings are a great way to jump start your art collection, or add a pop of color to that special little spot in your home.

"Poppin" is framed in a 1-1/2" deep gold crackle frame, ready to hang and enjoy! $115 + $12 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada, or pick up at my Spanish Village studio and I'll refund the shipping. Updated 10/25/15: Sold!

"Over Easy"

"Over Easy"
Soft Pastel on Board
12" x 16"

This California Native plant, Romneya Coulteri or "Matilija Poppy" is one of my favorite signs of summer. I found a beautiful stand of these along the frontage road below Presidio Park. Also known as "Fried Egg Poppies," their crepe paper petals sway in the breeze atop 8' tall stalks...a beautiful reminder to passing motorists...slow down, and enjoy your day :)

Framed in wide dark wood with UV/non-glare museum glass, ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it here $365 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 6/21/15: Sold!

"Shadow Dance"

"Shadow Dance"
24" x 24" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

The subject of todays painting was captured during a "Nation Wide Photo Walk" in Coronado a few weeks ago. I accompanied my husband on a two hour walk through the scenic streets of Coronado, along with about 30 other photographers as they captured the sights of this beautiful city. Hubby snapped photos with his Nikon, and I just couldn't resist snapping a few of my own with my trusty cell phone. The image that caught my attention was the bold shadow patterns of these poppies, cast on a stucco wall.

"Shadow Dance" is painted on 1-1/2" depth canvas with sides painted black, 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 at Liberty Station, Pt. Loma, and I will refund the shipping. $595 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 12/10/16: Sold!

"Tangles"

"Tangles"
12" x 12" Framed Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub
 

Mmm...I open my studio in the morning and I'm greeted by the smell of oil paint! Painting poppies in pastel is one of my favorite things to do, but it's also a really fun challenge to navigate them in oil paint. Every two weeks or so, my hubby and I visit a local buffet restaurant that always has a huge patch of blooming poppies in the front. I just can't get enough of them...but too many visits to the buffet make for a chubby artist!

"Tangles" is offered framed 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 11/1/13: Sold...to a collector in Washoe Valley, Nevada!

Daily Painters "Fall PoppiesTwo"

Swinging in the breeze, today's piece is Poppy painting number two of two.

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece measures 8" x 8" and is framed in wide black wood with thin gold liner and UV/non-glare museum glass. They look great in pairs...stay tuned for more in square format with varying background colors...and they make great gifts too. Buy it now $165 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 4/29/12: Sold...at ArtWalk!

Daily Painters "Fall Poppies One"

Funny how something as seemingly delicate as the poppy can thrive here in November. Yes...they're popping up all over.

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece measures 8" x 8" and is framed in wide black wood with thin gold liner and UV/non-glare museum glass. They look great in pairs...stay tuned for more in square format with varying background colors...and they make great gifts too. Buy it now $165 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada.

Daily Painters "Poppy Time"

What is it with Poppies, and why are so many artists drawn to their masses? Could it be the opportunity to capture a little snippet of joy on a sunny day? Maybe it's the chance to use those colors of the rainbow reserved for happy times?  Hmmm...
Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece measures 8" x 10" and is framed in wide dark wood with UV/non-glare museum glass. Ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it now price $175 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada.  Updated 11/2/11: Sold...to a new San Diego collector!

Daily Painters "Poppy Party"

The 2011 San Diego County Fair is just around the corner! I'll be first in line at breakfast time for my favorite chocolate covered bacon...then catch a quick pig race...then it must be time for a twelve-clove garlic chicken sandwich...back over to Bing Crosby Hall to check out the latest in kitchen gadgets... What? You don't do all of these things? Then how about a great "Exhibition of Fine Art"?  Special events this year include a chalk art contest, plein air painting contest, small image contest, and several daily art demonstrations. You can literally spend the entire day immersed in the arts.

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, Poppy Party is one of my entries in the "Exhibition of Fine Art." Measuring 12" x 16" it is framed in wide dark wood with UV/non-glare museum glass.  Priced at $375 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada.

Daily Painters "Poppy Tangle"

It feels good to be back to my somewhat quiet and "normal" studio life. This piece is one of the many "special request" projects on my drawing board since participating in ArtWalk weekend. Whenever I'm asked to create commissioned or companion pieces, I like to add them to my list of "special requests" and work them into my daily painting routine. It seems to keep things flowing a little easier, and keeps the pressure off of everyone. Here's how it works: Drop by my studio or send me an email with your ideas, I'll paint a few pieces for you to choose from and post them here to my blog. You're free to purchase, or pass and wait for another - just let me know by email. It's not what you had in mind? Don't worry...you won't hurt my feelings, I'll add a Paypal button and it may be the perfect fit for someone else that would like to start their collection.

This piece is painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, measures 12" x 12", and is framed in wide dark wood with gold liner, UV/non-glare museum glass, ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it now priced at $295.00 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada. Now available...

Daily Painters "The Poppy Fields #1 and #2"

Since it's always fun to have something special in my booth at ArtWalk, here is my idea for this year. There's just something about the movement of Poppies that I can't get enough of. When working in pastel and framing with glass, the pieces can get pretty heavy as the size increases. My solution for big walls and big spaces is to hang two or three companion paintings.

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, these pieces are framed individually in wide dark wood with black mat and UV/non-glare museum glass. Image size is 16" x 20", framed to 21" x 26", and they are priced at $575.00 each, or $1100 for the pair. Offered for local (San Diego) pick-up only, so stop by my ArtWalk booth #313 at the corner of Cedar Street and India Street (April 30 and May1, 11am-6pm each day), to check them out. Hope to see you there!

Updated 6/18/11: Poppy Fields #1 is sold. The following Paypal button will purchase Poppy Fields #2 at $550, available for local pick-up only.

Daily Painters "Poppy Parade"

It's springtime and the Poppies are on parade! I was at the home of a friend yesterday and spied what I thought to be artificial Poppies on her dining table. But no...this talented little lady had grown these beauties in her own back yard. They were unbelieveably perky and perfect, not a snail nibble to be found. Yes...now I must have some too...now where did I put that trowel...?

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece is 12" x 12" and is offered framed in a wide wood frame with gold crackle finish, black liner and UV/Non-glare museum glass. Buy it now price $295 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada. Updated 6/22/11: Sold, to a cute young girl from Colorado!

Daily Painters "Twilight Poppies"

Even though it's the holiday season and poinsettias are king, today begs for the joyful colors of a poppy patch. A recent chilly evening walk past one of my favorite places is the inspiration for todays painting. May the colors of the season warm your heart...

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece measures 11" x 14" and is framed in dark wood with UV/Non-glare museum glass. $315.00, available for local (San Diego) pick up, or + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada. Updated 3/7/11: Sold!

Daily Painters "Mellow Yellow"

Love those poppies. Now I just wish I could have perfectly reproduce the beautiful yellows in this painting. They seem to have come out a little gray here, anyhow...you'll love it since they always look so much better in person! It's just lovely my dear...

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece measures 12" x 12" and is framed in a coordinating wood frame with UV/Non-Glare Museum glass. Ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it now price: $295.00 + $30.00 to ship anywhere in the Continental U.S. or Canada. Updated 9/26/10: Sold...to a new collector in Reisterstown, MD.

Daily Painters "Garden Jive Three"

Love those Poppies! They're Nature's way of fully exercising the color palette...and I'm up to the challenge. My grandma had tall, dancing poppies all along her white picket fence. As a kid, I would marvel at the big fuzzy black and yellow bumblebees as they flew into the flower centers and tumbled around as if they were in "bee heaven."  Hmmm...."Bee Heaven"...gives me an idea for a fun new series of paintings. "Honey, where can I get some bees...?"

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece measures 12" x 12" and is framed in a coordinating wood frame with UV/Anti-glare Museum glass, ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it now price: $295 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. Thanks for looking. Updated 9/7/10: Sold...to my top collector as a gift for a friend!

Daily Painters "Poppy Fiesta Three"

What is it about poppies that we love?

This is a special time of year in Balboa Park. It's that perfect window between damp, cloudy days and the blanketing dry heat of summer. This is also the time when park gardeners set out the poppies. You'll find them peeking around almost every corner, and those curvy, furry stems are hard to resist. Kids love them...and artists love them too. So here's another interpretation for you to enjoy.

Painted in soft pastel on sanded paper, this painting measures 12" x 9" and is offered in a coordinating wood frame ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it now price: $250 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. Thanks for looking. Updated 7/26/10: Sold!