"My Fairy-tale Life"

"My Fairy-tale Life"
30" x 48" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

Yes, life here in San Diego is just that...like a fairy-tale. But even happy stories have their challenges, an one of the challenges here is the traffic. I'm lucky to set my own hours in the studio, generally from 9:00-2:30 Monday through Friday, in an attempt to avoid rush hours. I was born and raised here, and have never lived anywhere else. Then came Zillow...you know, that online real estate site. I check out the homes for sale in Palm Desert every morning over coffee. No trigger pulling yet, but sometimes it's pretty tempting!

"My Fairy-tale Life" is painted in "happy go lucky" colors, on 1-1/2" depth gallery wrapped canvas, sides painted black, ready to hang and enjoy. $2000 with free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S. Updated 12/10/17: Sold...and on its way to a new collector in Illinois :)

"The Quiet Place"

"The Quiet Place"
24" x 36" Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub

While recently thumbing through my photos for inspiration, I happened on a scene that instantly transported me to such an enjoyable place. A few years ago, on a whim, I applied for a scholarship through the Pastel Society of America, and was fortunate to be one of ten to be selected. The instruction in studio and plein air pastel painting took place at the Scottsdale Artist School in Scottsdale, Arizona. Each morning we would begin our day at the studio preparing our panels and watching a fast demo by instructor Susan Ogilvie. Then it was off to the Sonoran Desert to take in the wide open spaces. On this particular day, we ventured down a long winding dirt path, far from the main road. A beautiful stand of twisted trunk trees was the prize.

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, the dusty pinks paid a visit to my palette. "The Quiet Place" is offered unframed, painted on 1-1/2" depth gallery wrapped canvas, 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. $1295 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 3/8/14: Sold...to a local collector!

"First Glimpse"

"First Glimpse"
14" x 18"
Framed pastel on sandpaper
© Monique Straub
 

My first painting of the New Year is dedicated to experiencing all things with fresh eyes. I recently read a great inspirational article for artists that focuses attention on the most simple of things. On a recent walk through nature, I practiced this concept on views of the treetops. When back in the studio, it was easy to remember the smell of the air, the sounds of the birds, and the feeling of calm that surrounded me. Oh yes, and plunging my fingers into a new set of pastels just added to the Zen of the moment :)

"First Glimpse" is framed in wide dark brown, plein air style frame with gold liner and UV/non-glare museum glass, ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it now price $525 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Happy New Year! Updated 3/5/15: Sold!

Rainy Lane

"Rainy Lane"
14" x 18" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub
 

Another favorite image of mine, the reference photo for this piece was taken on a rainy day right here in my own neighborhood. I was pulling into the parking lot of a local shopping center after a cloud burst of rain, and noticed these interesting tree reflections in the street and on the sidewalk. Inspiration can strike at any time!

"Rainy Lane" 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. $525 + $40 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 3/15: Sold...and on its way to Texas!

"High Humidity"

"High Humidity"
12" x 12" Framed Oil on Canvas
© Monique Straub
 

After spending a fabulous week on an Alaska cruise, the return to Southern California weather was a bit of a shock. Yes, I can hear you now..."What's to complain about with San Diego weather?" Well, it's this...my hair is limp and I'm not liking it! Big, puffy clouds over the San Diego skyline are a beautiful site, but inland where I live, it's a different story. It's humidity city right now, and I even captured a mosquito in the house.  I guess sometimes we just don't know how good we have it, so I'll just have to paint my troubles away :)

 

"High Humidity" is offered framed in a gold crackle finish float frame, 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. Updated 8/25/13: Sold to a new collector at ArtWalk!

"Eucalyptus Sunrise"

"Eucalyptus Sunrise"
12" x 12"
© Monique Straub
 

A favorite subject of mine, this view of the sunrise out my bedroom window  never ceases to amaze me. So many different combinations of color, contrast and mood! I've painted this scene in pastel many times, depicting many different times of day and weather conditions. This is the first representation in oil on canvas, with I'm sure many more to come.

This piece is is offered framed and available here, and you can have it shipped to your door, or pick up at the studio and I'll refund the shipping. $275 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Hope to see you soon :) Updated 9/4/13: Sold...to a new collector right here in San Diego!

"Spring Blush"

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

A quick trip to Best Buy after a spring rain created a scene that stopped me in my tracks. I've done a few different versions of this piece from the photo I snapped, and I think this is my favorite. I'm not sure what made my fingers reach for the red, but then, I don't question those things. Maybe it was the disco music in the studio?

"Spring Blush" is offered framed in a wide, dark brown, plein air style frame with UV/non-glare museum glass, ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it here and have it shipped to your door, or buy it here and pick up at my Pt. Loma studio and I'll refund the shipping. $365 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 4/26/13: Sold!

"Vines and Olives"

"Vines and Olives"
6" x 6" Pastel on Sandpaper
© Monique Straub
 

Another view of the distant mountains of the Sonoma wine country from one of the many beautiful vineyards in the area. I'm currently working on a wide variety of subject matter and sizes, in preparation for the Mission Federal ArtWalk in Little Italy next month. Most of these pieces will be available for viewing and presale at the next Friday Night Liberty Open Studios event at my studio/gallery, Friday, April 5th from 5-8pm. Mark your calendars and drop in for a look!

"Vines and Olives" is framed in a wide, dark brown, plein air style frame with antique gold liner and UV/non-glare museum glass...very classy! 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. $125 + $20 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Thanks for looking :)

"Along the Wash"

"Along the Wash"
20" x 20"
Oil on Canvas
 

Mmm...I love the smell of oil paint. It takes me back to the 60's, when my mom would sit and paint everything from Eucalyptus trees to kittens, using her tiny little brush and multitude of little oil paint pots from her paint by numbers kits. Remember those? The smell of the oil paint is what I remember best. I still have the pair of light blue kittens she painted for my room when I was six.

Well, here is another example of my transition from pastel to oil painting. Fun, but much messier than pastels for me! "Along the Wash" painted on 3/4" stretched canvas, is offered unframed. Buy it here and have it shipped to your door, or buy it here and pick up at my Pt. Loma studio and I'll refund the shipping cost. $325 + $25 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada.

First Painting of the New Year "Puddles"

"Puddles"
Soft pastel on sandpaper
8" x 10"

The end of December brought on a bit of much needed rain to Southern California. While rushing about with holiday errands, I spied these reflections on a rainsoaked sidewalk, as the glow of the winter sun again filled the sky.

Speaking of reflections, this is the time of year when I'm busily making plans for the year ahead, and also reflecting on the accomplishments of a year gone by. Have I told you lately how much I love to paint? Well, I love to paint so much that in 2011 I found the time to paint over 97 paintings! I would again like to thank all of my collectors for enjoying my work and welcoming original art into your homes. I'm looking forward to another exciting year in the studio, and welcome your visits whenever you are in town.

"Puddles" is offered framed in wide, dark wood with UV/non-glare museum glass, ready to hang and enjoy. $175 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 4/28/12: Sold at ArtWalk!

Daily Painters "Just around the Bend"

"Just Around the Bend"
12" x 12"
Soft Pastel on Sandpaper

Now in the thick of the holiday season, a new year is just around the bend. The road to grandma's house will lead us to sweet ham, fruitcake, caroling and warm nights beside the fire. I'm busily framing new pieces for my annual holiday showing...more on that later.

Framed in wide black wood with thin gold liner and UV/non-glare museum glass. Ready for gift giving to that someone special! Buy it now price $295 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 6/24/12...sold to a new local collector!

Daily Painters "Vineyard Road"

Fall is just around the corner, my favorite time of year,

for eating big fat bratwurst, and drinking pumpkin beer.

My favorite color palette, for painting vineyard scenes, 

it's just around the corner from spooky Halloween.

A time for piling firewood, and raking dry fall leaves,

this time of year is perfect for weekend days in threes.

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 $175 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 9/4/11: Sold...to my top collector here in San Diego! 

Daily Painters "Delight"

Red sky in morning, sailor take warning,

Red sky at night, sailor's delight!

This little gem was painted for the weekly Daily Paintworks Challenge. The object here was to paint an image representing a superstition. One of the artists painted "Red Sky" in morning, so I thought it appropriate to paint the "Delight" half of this superstitious rhyme.

Painted in soft pastel on sandpaper, this piece measures 8" x 8" and is framed in wide dark wood with thin gold liner, and UV/non-glare museum glass. Ready to hang and enjoy. Buy it now $165 + $30 to ship anywhere in the continental US or Canada. Updated 12/8/11: Sold...to a new collector in New Westminster, B.C.