"Dreamscape"

"Dreamscape"
20" x 20" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

My mornings always begin with an almond milk latte, and a nice long walk. With my trusty cellphone camera in hand, I usually snap away at interesting scenes that later become inspiration for my paintings. A recent walk along Fourth Avenue in Bankers Hill resulted in several snaps of interesting branch formations, and a few curious homeowners, wondering what I was doing taking pictures in their front yards! This time of year the trees are just starting to leaf out, and the branches are still mostly exposed...just perfect!

"Dreamscape" is painted in oil on gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, ready to hang and enjoy. The perfect size to hang in a guest bath, or kitchen! You can purchase here and have it delivered to your door. $480 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S.

"Light & Shadow"

"Light & Shadow"
12" x 36" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

Driving past groves of trees often brings on one of those, "Honey stop the car!" moments. This particular scene was at the side of the road overlooking the Pacific Ocean off La Jolla Shores Drive. In the life of an artist, a simple Sunday drive to brunch can bring on an entire series of paintings.

"Light & Shadow" is painted in oil on gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, ready to hang and enjoy. Bring the cool hues of a coastal morning into your home! You can purchase here and have it delivered to your door. $495 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S.

"Jive"

"Jive"
12" x 24" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

Poppies dancing in the wind, the smell of warm garden soil, the chorus of birds singing in the morning. These are some of my favorite things. I recently noticed that the song birds have returned to my neighborhood. Waking to their morning "jive" is a sure sign that we are heading into summer. I'm often visited by the birds during my evening watering in the back yard. I hold the hose high and spray into the sky as the hummingbirds dive through the water, back and forth. It's the simple things in life that make life so enjoyable :)

"Jive" is painted in oil on gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, ready to hang and enjoy. You can purchase here and have it delivered to your door. $385 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S.

"Spring Break"

"Spring Break"
12" x 36" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

It's that pink again...it has worked its way into another painting! With all things Spring happening everywhere lately, my color palette has definitely taken a turn. This new piece is also a fun experiment with new canvas sizes and shapes, sure to fit nicely into any room.  I'm even painting one for my guest powder room, that way I can match some bold new towel colors for a quick Spring lift.

"Spring Break" is painted in oil on gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, ready to hang and enjoy. You can purchase here and have it delivered to your door. $495 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S.

"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.

"Daybreak"

"Daybreak"
36" x 48" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

Must be something in the water, the sun, the thought of marshmallow peeps. Maybe it's the smell of Honeysuckle in the air. The colors of Spring are slowly sneaking on to my palette, and it has been the perfect invitation to paint flowers and switch gears from landscape paintings to a few still life works. Patterns, reflections and brilliant color are always a welcome addition.

"Daybreak" is painted in the vivid colors of Spring. View it with a flower in your hair...it is on gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, ready to hang and enjoy.  You can purchase here and have it shipped to your door. $1800 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S.

The Grove

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

Walking in nature brings out the best in any artist. Experiencing shapes, lines, texture, color, and even scent can enhance our interpretations of the things around us. Most days folks just walk right by natures creations, but not on this day. A walk through this grove of trees near La Jolla had my painting juices stirring. A quick snap here, and another snap there, and my memory of the day was preserved in my cell phone, until it was time to let it back out on canvas. There is something very special about trees...can you feel it?

"The Grove" is painted in the colors of my memory, 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. $2000 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S. Updated 4/27/18: Sold!

Merlot Magic

"Merlot Magic"
40" x 40" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

It's a festive time of year, and holiday parties are already in full swing. The appetizers are plentiful, and the wine is flowing. I generally can't wait to get into my studio to paint, but I must admit, it can be difficult to stay focused this time of year. As I sip my wine, it dawns on me that it's time to paint the vineyards again. I've previously painted this scene in soft pastel, but never in oil. I hope you like it!

"Merlot Magic" is painted on 1-1/2" depth gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, ready to hang and enjoy. The inspiration for this painting was a recent trip to the vineyards in Sonoma. You can purchase here and have it delivered to your door. $1800 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S.

"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.

New Art - "Chillin"

"Chillin"
40" x 40" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

The Mid-Century Modern vibe has been on my radar lately, as I've been searching real estate listings in the Palm Desert and Palm Springs areas. A throw back to more graphic design, with a bit of tiki culture thrown in for good measure, this was a fun piece to paint. I'm not in the desert yet, so palms over the ocean still rule the day. Sometimes they just fall off the brush!

"Chillin" is painted in the beautiful colors of the coast, 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. $1800 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S.

Happy Birthday!

"Happy Birthday!"
36" x 36" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

Strange name for a painting? Well...June is my birthday month, and this year it's a big one! The big Six-O. I haven't really been keeping a "bucket list," but if I was, I think many of the things that would be on it, I've already experienced...except winning the Lotto...still waiting on that one. As I was sitting in my studio pondering my next painting and flipping through inspiration photos, I came across this beautiful vase of flowers. As usual, a lot of the colors, background, etc. are made up as I go, but I can do that...it's my birthday :)

"Happy Birthday" is painted in vivid color with bold brush strokes, on 1-1/2" depth gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, ready to hang and enjoy. You can purchase at Adelman Fine Art. Updated 7/31/17: Sold!

"Burst of Spring"

"Burst of Spring"
36" x 36" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

The streets of San Diego are alive with color! One of the official city "street trees" is the beautiful Jacaranda, and many of our streets are ablaze with purple. With the heavy rains we've experienced this year, it is a heavy flowering year. I'll be bringing my work to ArtWalk Little Italy at the end of April, and Cedar Street where my booth will be, is also alive with these beautiful trees. Stay tuned for details.

"Burst of Spring" is painted in oil on gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, offered through Adelman Fine Art Gallery. Updated 5/5/17: Sold! Thank you Adelman Fine Art :)

"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!

"Another Road Trip"

"Another Road Trip"
36" x 36" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

Something a little different rolled off the brushes this week. I've been painting steadily for my upcoming show at the Indian Wells Art Festival, and palm trees have been center stage. Not sure where this came from, but I like it :) I generally start my morning painting sessions by pouring through a big box of photos I've taken over the years. Some still excite me, and some not so much. This photo reference was taken on the way home to San Diego from Las Vegas. I've painted it in soft pastel once, and in oil twice, each time a different color palette and flavor shows through. This is my favorite version to date.

"Another Road Trip" is painted in oil on gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, offered ready to hang and enjoy. $1800 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. Purchase here and have it shipped to your door, or purchase here and pick up at my North Park studio and I will refund the shipping fee. Updated: Sold!

"Wild Orchid"

"Wild Orchid"
30" x 48" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

Holiday Greetings! Thank you for taking the time to enjoy my art. Whether you stopped by during one of my monthly open studio nights, visited my booth at a local fine art festival, or joined me on Facebook and Instagram, I am grateful to share my art experiences with each of you. I hope the magic of the season will last throughout the year, and may your 2017 be filled with joy, art, and good cheer.

Please enjoy my final painting of 2016. "Wild Orchid" 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. Updated 9/11/17: Sold...and on its way to Palm Desert, CA!

"Winter Pods"

"Winter Pods"
20" x 20" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

It's going to be a busy week at Straub Studio/Gallery! I will be moving across the hall (still at Art on 30th) to a much larger studio, and including the wonderful photographic work of my sweetie John. If you're in the area, save the date, Saturday December 10th from 6-8pm, for our new studio reveal event. In the meantime, I will be showing several of my works in pastel at Pt. Loma Tea at Liberty Station. John and I will be joining the festivities for Friday Night Liberty this coming Friday, December 2nd from 5-8 at the tea shop. Hope to see you there.

"Winter Pods" is painted on a 20" x 20" gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, offered here ready to hang and enjoy. Updated 5/5/17: Sold...to a local collector!

"California Color"

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

There is something so joyful about big, bold color. Some days I just can't get enough. I'm often asked how I achieve these colors in pastel. The secret is in the materials. In order to achieve intensely luminous color, you must start with highly pigmented, pastel sticks. These "professional" grade pastels are available in a variety of shapes and degrees of softness. I have four different brands of pastels in my box, ranging from firm, to soft and creamy. It's really a very personal choice when it comes to the "feel" of the brand. I have found that I'm a bit heavy handed, and the super soft brands will crumble in my hands, so I prefer a mid-range feel. Paper is the other determining factor of results. I prefer "sanded" papers, which actually feel a bit like an emory board. They grip a nice thick layer of pastel, resulting in deep, rich color.

"California Color" is painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, offered framed in a dark brown wood, plein air style frame with 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 it up at my studio at Art on 30th, and I will refund the shipping. $375 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 8/14/16: Sold...at ArtWalk Liberty Station.

Cactus Abstractus

"Cactus Abstractus"
12" x 16" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub

There is just something fun and magical about paddle cactus. Also known as Opuntia, these plump paddles are found on many of the hillsides here in San Diego, and they are also used in Mexican cooking to make great salsa! Anyhow...I love to draw them and I am always amazed at the vivid colors they display.

"Cactus Abstractus" 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 at Art on 30th, and I will refund the shipping. $395 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada. Updated 1/15/17: Sold!

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!

"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!