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!

"Torrey Summer"

"Torrey Summer"
48" x 36" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

While showing my work at local art festivals such as ArtWalk Little Italy and the La Jolla Festival of the Arts, I am always asked about larger works. With plenty of room to move around in my new Little Italy studio, I now have the luxury of space to actually work on two or more of these large paintings at a time. Having just completed this jumbo work in oil, it will be my center piece for the upcoming La Jolla Art & Wine Festival, next weekend, October 11 & 12.

"Torrey Summer" is painted in response to happy times hiking at Torrey Pines, here in San Diego. Painted on 1-1/2" thick gallery wrapped canvas, the sides of this piece are painted black and it is ready to hang, unframed. You may purchase here and have it shipped to your door, or purchase here and pick up at my studio/gallery in Little Italy, and I will refund the shipping. $2495 + $65 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 10/13/14: Sold at the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival!

"Torrey Pines Path"

"Torrey Pines Path"
12" x 16" Pastel on Sanded Board
© Monique Straub

I hope this post finds you all enjoying a wonderful Labor Day weekend, and I would like to welcome all of the new folks that signed up to follow my work at ArtWalk NTC and NoLI Nights events. The end of summer is always a busy time in the studio. I have been working on many new pieces that will be shown at my next event, The La Jolla Art & Wine Festival, October 11 & 12. Of course, since you're signed up to receive paintings as they are completed, you'll get priority viewing of everything new. Upcoming pieces include work in pastel, as well as a few larger pieces in oil on canvas.


"Torrey Pines Path" is offered framed in a wide, brown plein air style frame, with 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. $365 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Thanks for stopping by :) Updated 1/1/14: Sold!

"Torrey Pines Walk Two"

"Torrey Pines Walk Two"
12" x 16" Pastel on Board
© Monique Straub

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 upcoming summer shows. 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 pick up at my Pt. Loma studio and I will refund the shipping cost. $365 + $35 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 8/17/14: Sold...at ArtWalk NTC!

"Torrey Shadows"

"Torrey Shadows"
12" x 12" Framed Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub
 

An early afternoon stroll along the cliffs at Torrey Pines is great inspiration for another series of coastal paintings. Usually rendered in soft pastel, this time I've decided to recreate favorite scenes in oil on canvas.

"Torrey Shadows" is offered framed in a gold crackle finish float frame, ready to hang and enjoy, 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 + $35 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada.

"Coastal Walk #5"

"Coastal Walk #5"
12" x 12" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub
 

I'm revisiting one of my favorite images today. This is a scene from the path along Torrey Pines State Park. The smell of sage on a dusty trail, the sound of the surf pounding the cliffs...memories of a summer walk.

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece is framed in a wide, black plein air style frame with gold liner and UV/non-glare museum glass. Ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it here and have it shipped, or buy it here, pick up at my Liberty Station studio, and I'll refund the shipping charge. $295 + $35 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 4/27/13: Sold!

Blue Horizon

"Blue Horizon"
9" x 12" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub
 

The grasses of fall have begun to show their colors, and here in San Diego the first rain of the season is lightly sprinkling my studio window today. Ambitious as I was this summer about doing more painting outdoors, I realize I've surrendered to the comfort of my new digs.

I would like to thank all of my Facebook friends, neighbors and collectors that stopped by my new studio for Friday Night Liberty. My little studio/gallery was wall to wall with art lovers and I look forward to next month when we do it all again on November 2nd. Speaking of Facebook, I invite you to join my community for art updates and Liberty Station news.

"Blue Horizon" shown above, is offered framed in a wide, gold, plein air style frame with 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 studio and I will refund the shipping cost. Thanks for looking :) $225 + $35 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 10/20/12: Sold...and on its way to College Station, Texas!

Daily Painters "Torrey Spring"

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

Today we're taking another walk along the pathways at Torrey Pines State Park, here in coastal San Diego. You may recognize this scene, since it is the same path that is depicted in "Torrey Pines Walk," which has been selected as a finalist in the 2012 Mission Federal ArtWalk T-Shirt Contest.
You can vote for your favorite image once daily, until March 9th, at the following link.
Thanks again :) http://www.missionfederalartwalk.org/tshirt.htm

"Torrey Spring" 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...or save on shipping and pick it up at my studio in Spanish Village Art Center. Updated 3/22/12: Sold...and on its way to a new home in Wheat Ridge, Colorado!

Daily Painters "Coastal Walk Four"

I'm revisiting one of my favorite images today. This is a scene from the path along Torrey Pines State Park. The smell of sage on a dusty trail, the sound of the surf pounding the cliffs...memories of a summer walk.

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece measures 12" x 12" and is framed in wide black wood with thin gold liner and UV/non-glare museum glass. Ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it now $325 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 2/17/12: On hold...check for availability, drop me an email :)

Daily Painters "Torrey Pine Moon"

Hiking along the cliff trails at Torrey Pines State Preserve will always get the creative juices flowing. I've painted this, one of my favorite scenes, in a few different ways. Since this scene of the moon glowing over the ocean would probably occur here in California somewhere around 4 a.m., and long after this party animal has hit the sheets, creative license plays an important role.
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. Ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it now price $260 + $30 to ship anywhere in the U.S. or Canada. Updated 12/3/11: Sold!

Daily Painters "Torrey Pine Overlook"

The view through the trees looking south toward La Jolla was spectacular this past weekend. Clear skies make for a beautiful golden glow at that time just before sunset.

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece measures 12" x 16" and is framed in wide dark wood with UV/non-glare museum glass. Ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it now price $365 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada. Thanks for looking! Updated 6/12/11: Sold...from my studio in Spanish Village Art Center. Thank You!

Daily Painters "Torrey Pine Tango"

Torrey Pines Nature Preserve here in San Diego is one of my favorite places to spend a warm, spring day. Incredible views of the ocean, the smell of pine, and the sound of the wind in the trees is sure to put you in the mood to relax. Great landscape painting material is an added bonus for the artist!

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, "Torrey Pine Tango" is another of my entries for the San Diego County Fair "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. Updated 6/26/11: Sold...to a fair visitor from Los Angeles...thank you!

Special Note: Since this piece will be on display at the fair from June 10 - July 4th, it is not available to ship until July 5th.

Daily Painters - "Torrey Pines Vista"

Another in my Torrey Pines Nature Preserve series, this is one of the many beautiful views from the hiking trails that overlook the Pacific Ocean. Looking south down the coast, with La Jolla in the distance, the ocean breezes and smell of warm pine needles underfoot make for a truly enjoyable afternoon stroll.

This piece is painted in soft pastel and measures 11" x 14". Framed in wide, dark wood with UV/Non-glare museum glass, it is ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it now price: $325 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada. Updated 4/6/11: Sold!

Painting a Day "17 Mile Drive"

Driving along the California Coast each summer has proved such an artistic inspiration. Providing countless themes and ideas, this artist can only wish for more hours in the day. Rendered from one of the striking photographs in my "vacation" collection, this piece was created from the memories of driving along the "17 Mile Drive" in the Del Monte Forest area between Monterey and Carmel. My husband is a "car nut" and this trip involved touring along "the drive" with nearly one hundred vintage/classic automobiles, with our destination, the Carmel Concours de Elegance. Lots of pomp and circumstance...lots of "foo-foo" in the air, but I came away with what I wanted...images of nature, and the beauty of this area. Afternoon sunshine spilling through a thick canopy of Torrey Pines and Cedar trees set the mood in an abstract dance of light...great memories!

Painted in soft pastel on sanded masonite, this piece measures 11" x 14" and is offered framed and ready to hang and enjoy! Buy it now price: $295 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. Thanks for looking. Updated 6/5/12: Sold!

Painting a Day "The Coastal Path"

I'm always inspired by a walk with nature. Springing forth from my imagination after exploring along the bluffs at Torrey Pines State Park, this painting adventure resulted in a real gem. I began working on this painting back in July of 2008, and it was one of those pieces that eluded completion. This painting would stare at me from the shelf each time I entered my studio, and somehow I didn't have the courage to complete it. That may sound strange if you're not an artist, but sometimes things just go that way. I was always afraid I would "mess it up." Well, anyway, it's finished...and I'm quite pleased. This piece is a whopping 18" x 24", which is large by typical pastel standards. It is offered here in a coordinating wood frame, ready to hang. Buy it Now price: $675. Note: This piece will not ship, available for local (San Diego) pick up or delivery only.
Updated 7/15/10: Sold...to a new local collector.