"Blue Noon"

"Blue Noon"
20" x 20" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

The hard shadows of the noontime sun were the inspiration for this scene that I spied on my way to the dentist office. Artistic license was at play, as I removed the concrete sidewalk and replaced it with a dirt path, and removed the eight story building in the background. Artists are like that, we move stuff!

"Blue Noon" is painted in oil on gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, ready to hang and enjoy. This one is also 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.

"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.

Five O'Clock Somewhere

"Five O'Clock Somewhere"
24" x 24" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

The long shadows of fall are slowly being replaced by fresh green grasses. The painters palette has changed yet again, and soon brilliant greens will command center stage. I've taken to mixing up the color combos in the last few paintings, still deciding which pieces will fit the bill at Laguna Art A-Fair this summer. My new booth will be built soon, and it will be time to paint, install lighting and signage. For now, I'm stumped on what the wall color will be. Something between a neutral gray, or a warm golden...

"Five O'Clock Somewhere" 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. $650 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!

"Harvest Moon"

"Harvest Moon"
24" x 24" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

Crystal clear and cool blue night skies, the full Harvest Moon overhead, and the distant hoot of an owl. Can you feel it? Fall is in the air. Pumpkins, cinnamon, turkey, the list goes on. It's the most wonderful time of the year...

"Harvest Moon" is painted in the colors of a cool fall evening, on 1-1/2" depth gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, ready to hang and enjoy. $800 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S. Updated 12/30/17: Sold!

"October Shadows"

"October Shadows"
20" x 20" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

With October firmly behind us, the focus on my favorite season of the year is in full swing. My painting palette always seems to take a tilt toward the warmer oranges of leaves on the ground, and the blues and purples of long shadows on the lawns. Skies take on a deeper blue, and if we're lucky here in San Diego, the brilliant and puffy white clouds will soon make their appearance. It's the happiest time of the year...take a deep breath and enjoy it!

"October Shadows" is painted in the vivid, rich colors of Fall, on 1-1/2" depth gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, ready to hang and enjoy. The inspiration for this painting was to capture the long, morning shadows beneath a row of trees along Presidents Way in Balboa Park. You can purchase here and have it delivered to your door. $480 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S.

September Shadows

"September Shadows"
36" x 36" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

Hiking through the back country of San Diego is always a sure bet to inspire a new painting. Many of you have visited my North Park studio, and know first hand how I begin each of my paintings from a photo I have taken. These photos are mainly a "jumping off point" and provide basic composition. From that point, the fun begins! Color is what it's all about for me. Yes, I could spend hours upon hours rendering a photo perfect scene, then paint it with all the exact colors...but what fun would that be?

"September Shadows" is painted in the vivid colors of my imagination, 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. $1495 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S.

"Confetti"

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

The trees are confused here in San Diego. One day it feels like fall, the next day it's 105 degrees. The trees in my front yard have confetti for foliage...green leaves, brown leaves, new buds, and brilliant flowers! If trees could talk, I wonder what they would be saying?

"Confetti" is painted in the festive colors of nature, 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, or purchase here and pick up at my Mission Valley studio. $600 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S. Updated 1/27/18: Sold!

"A Shady Place"

"A Shady Place"
20" x 20" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

This beautiful scene was inspired by a recent trip to one of my favorite places, Carmel by the Sea. Every time we visit, I've noticed a "trail head" sign in the trees across from the historic Carmel Mission. This trip we investigated, and found one of the "locals only" treasures of the area. A series of hiking trails through a canyon, with many areas of dense trees. There were a few benches here and there, and the locals were passing through with their dogs and some on bikes. What a cool (literally) place to hang out on a warm summer day.

"A Shady Place" is painted on 1-1/2" depth gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, offered ready to hang and enjoy. You can purchase here and have it delivered to your door. $600 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S. Updated 4/27/18: Sold!

Blue for You

"Blue for You"
36" x 36" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

Jacaranda blooms and clear blue sky have made their appearance here in San Diego. One of my favorite things about summer is the brilliantly colored street trees with their carpets of spent blooms along the sidewalk. Heavier than normal rains this past winter have added to the show. Twisty, curvy trunks with little to no greenery makes for an interesting scene.

"Blue for You" is painted in vivid color with bold brush strokes, on 1-1/2" depth gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black. Offered ready to hang and enjoy. Updated 7/2/17: Sold! Thank you Adelman Fine Art Gallery!

"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 :)

"Sun Splashed"

"Sun Splashed"
12" x 16" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

The back roads of the Sonoma Valley provide tons of inspiration for artists from all over the world. This scene, which I have painted several times in pastel, is from a photo taken on a simple exit road from a wonderful winery we visited. Something as simple as a gravel road, a few trees in a row, and dappled sunlight can trigger a painting adventure. With a cell phone camera always at the ready, I never miss an opportunity to share a beautiful scene.

"Sun Splashed" 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. $450 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. Updated 7/31/17: Sold!

"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!

"By Moonlight"

"By Moonlight"
18" x 36" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

Isn't nature brilliant? Studying the graceful tree forms during a recent road trip through the "Seventeen Mile Drive" in Carmel was so relaxing...and I noticed something interesting. Taking this drive on a beautiful moonlit evening sets the artful trunks at center stage, with foliage a mere supporting role. While painting this piece, I felt like I was right back in the passenger seat...pondering my next painting. Another trip to the beautiful Carmel/Monterey coast is in the works for our 29th wedding anniversary. I can't wait!

"By Moonlight" is painted in oil on 1-1/2" depth gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black. Two canvases, side by side, 18" x 36" each, offered ready to hang and enjoy. $900 with free shipping  anywhere in the continental U.S.

Fall Shadows

"Fall Shadows"
20" x 20" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

Upcoming art shows have me painting up a storm! This new piece is destined for the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival, next weekend, October 8th & 9th. Scenes of fall, palm trees, cactus and many other beautiful landscape pieces will be on display, and I invite you to browse the art and shops of La Jolla, since the weather is forecast to be spectacular.

"Fall Shadows" is a scene from beautiful Balboa Park, painted on 20" x 20" 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 10/2/16: Sold...and on its way to Florida!

"Wind Rush"

"Wind Rush"
30" x 40" Oil on Gallery Canvas
© Monique Straub

Oops...I almost forgot to post this fun and flashy landscape, painted on Cinco de Mayo weekend (can't you tell?) Colors run rampant along the Central California agricultural valleys. Our summertime vacation stops through this area are always punctuated with superb Mexican food and fresh fruit from the roadside stands. It's almost August, and time to make the trek once more!

"Wind Rush" is 30" x 40" on 1-1/2" gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, offered here ready to hang and enjoy. Updated 3/18/17: Sold! Thank you Adelman Fine Art :)

"Morning Mosaic"

"Morning Mosaic"
12" x 16" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub

There is just something about trees that brings joy to my heart. Now this may sound strange, but I often wonder if maybe some day after I've gone, I'll return to life as a tree. If so, I want to have curly branches, with many twists and turns about them, and plenty of places for birds to build their nests :)

"Morning Mosaic" is painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, offered framed in a dark brown wood, plein air style frame with gold liner, 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 U.S. or Canada.

"Back Road Boogie"

"Back Road Boogie"
36" x 36" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

Preparations continue in the studio today, with the San Diego Festival of the Arts just weeks away on June 11-12, at beautiful Waterfront Park in Downtown San Diego. New paintings are ready, and big savings will be offered on 2015 paintings to make way for new works. Be sure to mark your calendars!

Windy, late spring days, and the transition from fall colors to spring colors are the inspiration for "Back Road Boogie." One of my favorite hiking areas in the back country of Poway provided the perfect setting for a springtime walk through the trees.

"Back Road Boogie" is offered here read to hang, 36" x 36" with sides of gallery wrapped 1-1/2" canvas painted black.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 8/13/16: Sold!

"Spring Canopy"

"Spring Canopy"
12" x 16" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub

My early morning walks through the neighborhood are always ripe with inspiration. Currently, the gold and rusty tones of fall have given way to the bright green glow of new growth on the treetops. The smell of Eucalyptus on a crisp spring morning is second only to the cup of hot coffee that awaits at the studio.

"Spring Canopy" 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. $375 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental U.S. or Canada. Updated 8/14/16: Sold...at ArtWalk Liberty Station!