"Torrey Breeze"

"Torrey Breeze"
12" x 16" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

A hike along the coastal bluffs, the sound of waves crashing below, and the wind whistling in the trees...a recipe for painting inspiration. Torrey Pines State Park has been a favorite painting subject of mine for years. The shapes, the seasonal colors and the open sky are really fun to paint. Having received several requests for works in smaller and more affordable sizes, I have recently begun to paint a few of my favorite scenes and make them available here. I always appreciate your feedback :)

"Torrey Breeze" is painted on 1-1/2" depth gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, 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 3/3/17: Sold...and on its way to Pasadena, CA!

"Blue Horizon Two"

"Blue Horizon Two"
12" x 16" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub
 

I'm revisiting another favorite scene today. I've had a few requests for pieces that are sold, and I'm relaxing in the studio and painting to catch up a bit. The photo for this piece was taken at the Torrey Pines State Park, looking south toward the coastline of La Jolla. The transition of seasons from Summer to Fall yields a mix of colored foliage and wind whipped treetops.

"Blue Horizon Two" 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 may purchase here and have it shipped to your door, or purchase here and pick up at my studio/gallery and I will refund the shipping. $375 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 11/1/13: Sold...to a collector in Washoe Valley, Nevada!

"Torrey Pines on my Mind"

"Torrey Pines on my Mind"
12" x 16" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub

Number three in my "California State Parks" series, the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is one of my local favorites. Here is a little info on the distinctive trees that make this park so special to me.

The naming of the Torrey Pine tree:

Because groves of trees were not common along the Southern California coast, early Spanish explorers (1500-1700 AD) referred to this area as Punto de Los Arboles, which literally means "Point of Trees." They used this area both as a landmark and as a warning that they were too close to the shore in the fog. The trees themselves were referred to as Soledad Pines (Solitary Pines) by the first non-Native Americans to visit the area. The name remained until 1850.

The first modern account of the Torrey pine occurred with the renaming of the tree in 1850. It was "officially" discovered by Dr. Charles Christopher Parry. Parry was in San Diego as botanist for the US - Mexico Boundary Survey. The purpose of the survey was to determine the boundaries between Mexico and California. Parry was a medical doctor with an interest in botany: specifically, why plants grew where they did and how Indians used plants. Parry named the tree for his friend and colleague, Dr. John Torrey, of New York. Torrey was one of the leading botanists of his time. He had co-authored A Flora of North America, and was the sole author of A Flora of New York State.

"Torrey Pines on my Mind" 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 may purchase here and have it shipped to your door, or purchase here and pick up at my studio/gallery and I will refund the shipping. $365 + $35 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 11/1/13: Sold...to a collector in Washoe Valley, Nevada!

"Torrey Pine Trail"

"Torrey Pine Trail"
Soft Pastel on Sandpaper
12" x 16"

The cliffs and trails at Torrey Pines State Park are a never ending source of inspiration for many artists. There is just something special about the California coastline that has drawn artists to this location for many years. I've been visiting and painting scenes from many of San Diego's local parks in preparation for my show at the Mission Trails Regional Park Gallery later this year. It's a tough job...but someone's got to do it!

Framed in wide dark brown wood with UV/non-glare museum glass, this piece is ready to hang and enjoy. Purchase here and have it shipped, or email for pick up in my studio at Spanish Village in Balboa Park. $365 + $35 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Thanks for stopping by :) Updated 9/20/12: Sold...and on its way to Los Angeles!

Daily Painters "Torrey Trails"

"Torrey Trails"
Soft Pastel on Sandpaper
12" x 16"

With the coastal weather starting to warm up this week, it may be time for another hike along the bluffs at Torrey Pines State Beach. A recent visitor to my studio commented about my Torrey Pine paintings, asking if the trees were inspired by Dr. Seuss! I have a sneaky suspicion that there probably is some correlation there, and the trees probably inspired him, since Ted Geisel aka "Dr. Seuss" actually lived in La Jolla, not far from where these trees are located. This is the actual shape of these trees...they've not been "Seussed" by me :)

"Torrey Trails" is offered framed in wide dark wood with UV/non-glare museum glass, ready to hang and enjoy. $365 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 4/29/12: Sold...at ArtWalk!