Desert Darlene's Art and Photo Blog

Killdeer chick painting

2011-11-08T14:08:00.000-08:00

This is the first painting that I've done in a long time! It's of a little killdeer chick in acrylic on un-stretched canvas, 9 x 12. I took a photo of Squiggy the killdeer chick and enlarged it on my iPad for a reference. Originally, it was just supposed to be still water in the background with reflections. But, as I worked on it, I noticed that it began to look like a beach during low tide, which would be very appropriate for a little killdeer to be running around on.

Pepper the duckling

2011-08-27T10:40:00.000-07:00

I did this so that it could be my avatar on Backyardchickens.com. It's a little black duckling I named Pepper who grew up at Lake Murray this year.

It's done in colored pencil on Canson drawing paper.

Pool Phoebe

2011-02-09T19:05:00.000-08:00

I just finished this small, 4 x 6 colored pencil drawing of the black phoebe that visits our pool:

Little colored pencil duckies

2010-11-13T15:11:00.000-08:00

Here's a colored pencil drawing I did with three duckies. Sorry they look a little distorted:

Little baby duck

2010-10-14T14:32:00.000-07:00

I did this little colored pencil drawing on paper of a little baby mallard duckling.

Almost done on the killdeer painting

2010-09-13T17:21:00.000-07:00

I am just about done on this acrylic painting. I am currently taking feedback from other artists so that I can put the finishing touches on it.

Another killdeer chick drawing.

2010-08-29T14:43:00.000-07:00

Here is another killdeer chick drawing I did on paper with Prismacolor colored pencils.

Killdeer painting still in progress

2010-07-26T14:55:00.000-07:00

I'm still working on this. It's been a struggle, but here's an update. Still not done yet. It's acrylic on canvas.

Update on Killdeer Painting

2010-07-08T19:25:00.000-07:00

I am going very slow on this painting as it has gotten kinda complicated for me. I am not used to working slowly on the fine details like this painting has.

"Fish Food Ducklings"

2010-07-08T08:21:00.000-07:00

I've been having a ball watching all the little babies around Lake Murray. I call these ducklings the "fish food ducklings" because, when they first hatched, they were living in an area with a lot of large fish that could eat them. There are three, total, but I think there was four originally. One kept going off on his own and I think that's why he went missing.

Anyway, here's the two girls on the shore of the lake.

Update on Killdeer Painting

2010-06-08T20:25:00.000-07:00

Another week has gone by and here is an update on my acrylic killdeer painting. Still plugging along.

Killdeer painting in progress

2010-05-23T19:02:00.000-07:00

Here is a photomerge that I did on the current killdeer painting in progress. It will be an 18 x 24 acrylic painting. It's very challenging for me because I don't usually do water and I am trying to put a lake in the scene. Also, I've never done killdeer before, except the chick in colored pencil.

Killdeer Chick

2010-05-18T20:30:00.000-07:00

I just realized that I never posted this quick colored pencil drawing of a killdeer chick on this blog. I am about to embark on a large painting of a killdeer family that will take me some time. I will be posting it here in thirds, but it might take me a while.

I started a new blog about killdeers, phoebes and finches. Please bear with me on that blog as I save up for a better lens to get better bird photos.

Paint Horse

2010-04-09T16:26:00.000-07:00

Here is a 9 x 12 acrylic painting on canvas paper. I am selling prints in various sizes on Fine Art America. You can find them here.

Some pictures from Weekend Drawing Events

2010-03-21T17:55:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of pictures from weekend drawing events on the website Wetcanvas.com. These are both after working two hours.

The weekend drawing event is where someone posts several photos and you have to pick at least on of those photos within 30 minutes. Then, once you've picked one, you work for two hours and then show your work on the site. You can then finish the piece, or which I haven't done, yet, with these two.

Both of these are in colored pencil. The sushi is from this weekend's WDE and the landscape is from one at the end of February 2010.

I think it's good to work on different subjects, especially when I am thinking of trying to get into graphic design.

Lion Drawing Finished

2010-03-14T13:35:00.001-07:00

I meant to post this earlier, but I forgot, sorry. I finished my lion drawing a while back. It's 8.5 x 5.5 on paper and done with colored pencil.

Breceda Sculptures in Borrego Springs

2010-02-15T19:02:00.001-08:00

I've been writing a lot about these sculptures in Borrego Springs and posting in on Gather. I thought I would post a few here, one at a time, until I can post some of my own artwork.

These sculptures were created by Ricardo Breceda and are placed all over Galleta Meadows in Borrego Springs, California. Here are some sheep sculptures:

Latest Work in Progress January 2010

2010-01-02T18:07:00.001-08:00

I am working on this small colored pencil drawing. I've already fixed the eye of this lion and will be finishing it up eventually.

Relaxing near the San Diego River

2010-01-02T18:05:00.001-08:00

This couple was taking a break near the San Diego River that goes through Mission Trails park on a warm New Year's Day.

Anza Borrego in Summer, near Badlands

2009-12-22T17:51:00.000-08:00

Enjoy!

2009-12-11T21:11:00.000-08:00

I went hiking at the Mission Trails Regional Park on Thanksgiving.

Palm Desert Library

2009-12-10T19:07:00.000-08:00

This is a nice little library that is shared with the College of the Desert in Palm Desert, California. There is a nice children's area that I have also taken pictures of that I might post later.

I took this picture in the summer of 2009.

2009-12-08T13:08:00.000-08:00

This is a photo I took while I was at Lake Murray back when I was still using mostly 35mm film.

Update on the Colored Pencil Drawing.

2009-10-28T11:07:00.000-07:00

I think I am going to call it done for now, save a few improvements in case I want to show it. It's 9 x 12 colored pencil on paper.

Pacific Beach Summer Sunset

2009-08-08T17:59:00.000-07:00

This was a photo I took a few days ago near the Pacific Beach Pier. I had to crop some of the bottom out because some people walked into the shot.

You can see more description of it here:

Pacific Beach Sunset

Newest Work In Progress, Car Camping

2009-06-29T18:01:00.000-07:00

This is my newest colored pencil drawing, it's 9 x 12 on paper. I used to go car camping about 15 years ago or so, with my Ford Granada.

Update on my Kitty Drawing

2009-06-18T18:43:00.000-07:00

In case you didn't see it on Gather or Wetcanvas, here is an update to my colored pencil drawing that I am doing. I am going to put it aside for now. Yes, I know there's a lot of work that can still be done, but I want to move on to other things.

Kitty, WIP

2009-06-13T17:56:00.000-07:00

I am actually working on this very slowly and don't know when it will be done. This is going to be a 9 x 12 colored pencil on Strathmore paper. I got the image from the Wetcanvas image library.

Colored Pencil 101

2009-05-16T17:19:00.000-07:00

I so want to go to this, but I have to work during the exact time that this is going on. I want to join the Colored Pencil Society, but they have their meetings when I am at work. So, I will wait until I make enough money to quit my job. :)

Anyway, the San Diego Chapter of the Colored Pencil Society of America will be having a Colored Pencil workshop at the Serra Mesa Library on June 13, 2009 from 9:30 to 2PM. The materials fee is $10 and soft drinks and water is provided. However, please bring a lunch.

There will be door prizes!

They will be providing handouts for the lessons, but they also request that you be prepared and bring the following items:

Hand held or battery operated pencil sharpener.

A kneader eraser

An HB graphite pencil

And, the following Prismacolor pencils:

#922 Poppy Red
#925 Crimson Lake
#902 Crimson Lake
#903 True Blue
#907 Peacock Green
#994 Process Red
#938 White
#901 Indigo Blue
#996 Black Grape
#916 Canary Yellow
#937 Tuscan Red
#988 Marine Green
#1012 Jasmine (Yellow)

I'm not sure if the handouts and materials that they are handing out include drawing paper, but I would bet that they would.

The following stores will give a 10% discount if you bring in the flyer (you can get it at the library) or show a CPSA membership card:

Artist and Craftsman Supply
1911 San Diego Ave
(619)688-1911

Blick Art Materials
1844 India Street
(619)687-0055

The Library is located at 9005 Aero Drive across from Montgomery Field (zip code is 92123 for those looking it up on Mapquest, Yahoo or Google Maps).

If you need more information, contact:

Marji Huntington at marjih@earthlink.net

Or, Deb Gargula at CApencilpainter@cox.net

On the Hill Overlooking Santa Ysabel

2009-04-28T18:59:00.000-07:00

I shot this photo last year from the hill that you have to climb when you are hiking the Santa Ysabel Preserve from Highway 79 on the west side.

Chimney Rock on the California Riding and Hiking Trail

2009-04-12T16:03:00.001-07:00

I went hiking up (or rather down) the California Riding and Hiking trail last Sunday and took a few photos. This photo was taken high up above Grapevine Canyon not too far from Angelina and Stewart Springs.

Dos Cabezas Station

2009-03-19T18:32:00.000-07:00

I walked about 5 miles from S-2 near the Border Patrol Checkpoint and came across this old station. This part of the railroad was destroyed in 1976 by Tropical Storm Kathleen. It's not too far from that famous trestle over Carrizo Gorge. I hope to get a shot of the trestle, soon.

Road to Anza-Borrego

2009-03-08T08:15:00.000-07:00

Here is a photo looking north on S-2 towards the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park from Ocotillo.

I now have my own specific page over at Gather.

2009-02-12T11:15:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone. I wanted to mention that I now have my own specific page over at Gather.com for all the content I post over there. I also have a feed to this blog, too. So, if you want, you can view my writings and photography over there.

All of Darlene L.'s Work

Carrizo Badlands Overlook

2009-01-25T08:01:00.001-08:00

Here's a photo I took while at the Carrizo Badlands Overlook at the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

The Yuha Desert at Sunrise

2009-01-20T19:05:00.000-08:00

I shot this yesterday just south of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park where the land is either BLM land or privately owned.

In the Desert This Morning

2009-01-19T14:04:00.000-08:00

I went out to the desert this morning and took this photo of my car at the Carrizo Badlands Overlook in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Egret Fishing

2009-01-18T13:32:00.000-08:00

Here is a photo I took at the Chula Vista Nature Center of an Egret Fishing. I have more photos of this guy that I might put up later.

Comments on my Blog

2009-01-17T19:58:00.001-08:00

Hi everyone. I have decided that I will no longer allow comments on my blog for the time being. I always like the exchange of comments by a lot of different people and accept all views. But, the majority of the comments I have been asked to approve since I've started this blog have not been nice and are downright nasty at times for no reason. I may allow comments on this blog to open up again at a later date.

Thanks.

View of San Diego

2009-01-06T11:07:00.000-08:00

Here is the view from on top of Cowles Mountain looking west towards Downtown San Diego and Mission Valley. I took this on 1/1/09 with my Canon 350D.

Another Cowles Mountain Photo

2009-01-04T18:08:00.000-08:00

Here's another photo of people hiking up Cowles Mountain on New Years Day.

Hiking Up Cowles Mountain

2009-01-01T18:17:00.000-08:00

Here is a photo I took on New Year's Day on Cowles Mountain. I took this once I reached the top. The view there is of Santee, Lakeside and you might be able to see Ramona, too. It was a little foggy that day.

2008-12-30T16:31:00.000-08:00

Here is another shot of the Clark Valley area of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. This was about a mile or so past the dry lake bead. Those are the Santa Rosas there.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T17:53:00.000-08:00

This is a photo of my mom's Christmas tree.

Mission Trails Park

2008-12-21T13:27:00.003-08:00

This was taken on the Rim Trail in Mission Trails Park in San Diego, CA.

I finished my Morongo Valley Painting.

2008-12-10T06:57:00.000-08:00

Here is that painting I finshed based on an area in the Morongo Valley Preserve north of Coachella Valley. It is 8.5 x 11 on canvas paper.

Clark Valley/Rockhouse Canyon Road

2008-11-24T20:04:00.000-08:00

This is a photo that wasn't getting much attention on Gather, so I thought I'd post it here. I took this on November 20th out in Clark Valley in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. This is the photo of the road just past the dry lake bed.

Update on Morongo Valley Painting

2008-11-18T19:34:00.000-08:00

I haven't been able to really work on this painting until today and a little bit yesterday. I may just keep the painting strokes simple and not force a lot of detail into the painting.

New Painting in Progress--Morongo Valley

2008-11-10T17:22:00.000-08:00

I am in the process of doing this 8 1/2 x 11 acrylic on canvas paper painting of Morongo Valley, California. I am using a bad photo I took as a reference. I don't know if I will be putting anything in the foreground. I will have to see how things work out when I get there.

Julian Side Streets

2008-11-09T13:48:00.000-08:00

This is a photo I took while on one of the side streets in Julian, CA. I also posted this on Gather.com, too, along with a Google map.

Waiting for the Catalina Express.

2008-11-02T13:38:00.000-08:00

I originally had this posted up on Gather. It's a photo I took while waiting for the Catalina Express in Dana Point last August.

Santa Ysabel Preserve

2008-10-21T18:55:00.000-07:00

I went early on a Sunday morning there for a hike. Here is a photo at the top of the ridge a few miles from Highway 79.

They're creating a staging area off of Highway 78 for this preserve, but it's not open yet. It looks like it will be nice.

Cahuilla Reservation

2008-10-19T13:34:00.000-07:00

This is a photo I took on my last trip to Coachella Valley. I was driving up out of the valley on highway 74 to a little hiking trail on the Cahuilla Reservation in the Santa Rosa Mountains.

Alfa Romeo Hood

2008-10-05T12:37:00.000-07:00

I took this photo of the front of an Alfa Romeo grill at the San Diego Automotive Museum.

Tucker Automobile

2008-10-01T10:12:00.000-07:00

I thought the way the light fell on this car was interesting, so I took this picture. This particular Tucker Automobile is housed at the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park.

Coachella Valley Preserve looking West

2008-09-25T17:12:00.001-07:00

This photo was taken manualy using 1/250 shutterspeed from the Coachella Valley Preserve parking lot.

Thundercloud at Coachella Valley Preserve

2008-09-21T09:04:00.000-07:00

This is a photo I took a couple days ago at the Coachella Valley Preserve in Thousand Palms, California. There was no rain, but I think I heard some thunder in the distance.

Coachella Valley Overlook

2008-09-20T18:54:00.000-07:00

This was taken at the Coachella Overlook. That's Coachella Valley down there.

Mission Trails Park

2008-09-14T18:47:00.000-07:00

Hello. I took this photo a couple of weeks ago in the area between Fortuna Mountain and the Rim Trail. I believe it's called Suycutt Wash or something like that. It's a little valley between the two rims.

Walking Path in Lake Forest, California

2008-09-05T09:32:00.000-07:00

This is a photo of the bike and walking path all around Lake Forest and Mission Viejo. They also have horse trails. This one is along El Toro road.

Art and Photo Show at Point Loma Library

2008-09-04T15:23:00.000-07:00

I am currently having an art and photo display in the large display case in the lobby of the Point Loma Library in San Diego, California. It is located at"

3701 Voltaire St

The hours are:

MW 12:30-8PM

TTH 9:30-5:30PM

F 12:30-5:30PM

Sat 9:30-2:30PM

Sun 1:00-5PM

See ya there!

Catalina Ave

2008-08-28T17:57:00.000-07:00

I believe this is a photo of either Catalina Avenue or Clarissa Street in Avalon on the Catalina Island.

Homes in West Avalon

2008-08-27T11:49:00.000-07:00

Here is a photo of some homes on the western side of Avalon on Catalina Island nestled up against the hills. I probably should have rotated it. I might do so on my AC slideshow.

If you want to see the entire slideshow with a corrected version of this photo, visit:

Associated Content

The glass wall at Saddleback Church

2008-08-26T18:12:00.000-07:00

Here is a photo of the glass wall at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. It has all kinds of sayings etched into it relating to the Bible and the church. I hope you can read a few of them when you click on the photo to enlarge it.

The Cross at Saddleback Church

2008-08-23T17:07:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of the waterfall and cross at the Saddleback Community Church in Lake Forest, CA. It was cloudy when I took these pictures. This is the church that Rick Warren, who wrote the "Purpose Driven Life" preaches.

Avalon Harbor

2008-08-22T10:33:00.001-07:00

Here is a close-up of some of the boats anchored in the bay.

Avalon Bay

2008-08-21T17:54:00.000-07:00

Here is a photo I took when I was in Catalina of Avalon Bay from southwestern side.

Tree on Volcan Mountain

2008-08-11T16:08:00.000-07:00

I thought this tree had a little bit of character, so I decided to shoot a picture of it.

Cuyamaca is still green

2008-08-07T15:32:00.000-07:00

This is a photo I took at the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park just south of Julian, California. It's still a little green up there because they've been getting a little bit of summer rain. But, if you're from another part of the country, you would probably think this wasn't green enough.

Mission Trails Black and White Photo

2008-08-06T09:11:00.003-07:00

I decided to convert this to black and white. This is a photo I took at Mission Trails Park a couple of days ago.

Off of Volcan Mountain

2008-08-04T20:34:00.000-07:00

I went hiking on Volcan Mountain today and shot some pictures of the thunderstorm that was trying to form on the mountain near Julian, California. I underexposed this photo on purpose to get the clouds to become more visible.

Highway 74

2008-08-03T15:04:00.000-07:00

I don't think I ever posted this before. I know that the date on it says 2008, but it was actually completed and sold a few years ago. It was an 11 x 14 acrylic painting on canvas board. It depicts an area off of highway 74 between Temecula and Idyllwild.

New Slideshow on AC

2008-07-31T19:55:00.000-07:00

I have a new photo slideshow on Associated Content. It's a combination of 35mm and digital photos.

Hiking Iron Mountain

My new haircut

2008-07-29T17:34:00.000-07:00

Here's a self portrait of me after I got my haircut at Dearinger's salon this afternoon. I took this picture right after I got home. It probably won't look the same in a few hours.

Oh, as for the earthquake, everything is fine.

I found this painting!

2008-07-24T17:48:00.000-07:00

I was working with a lot of old photo files on floppy disks and I found this old painting done on canvas board that I sold a long time ago. It is a painting of the Borrego Badlands in the summertime. I think it was an 11 x 14 acrylic.

My latest photo slideshow

2008-07-21T12:08:00.000-07:00

Here is my latest photo slideshow on Associated Content:

California Fan Palms in Borrego Palm Canyon

Spring Flowers in Borrego Valley

2008-07-20T18:52:00.000-07:00

Here are some flowers that I saw last spring between the visitor's center and the Borrego Valley Campground.

Palo Verde Trail

2008-07-08T06:50:00.000-07:00

I found this while I was looking for some other pictures. It's a photo I took last February on the Palo Verde Trail in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. I hope I haven't posted this before.

Ground Squirrel

2008-07-05T07:35:00.000-07:00

I didn't go to the 4th of July fireworks as the one in my area was so obscenely crowded last year with a lot of very obnoxious and rude people. Also, they cut down on celebrations and there just weren't any other ones close by to where I live.

So, instead of fireworks, which is what I would have posted, I am posting this photo of a ground squirrel that I took at Chollas Lake.

Mustang at the Fair.

2008-06-26T07:28:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of a horse that I believe is named Quey. He visits the San Diego County Fair just about every year, or at least the last few years. He's not very big, about fourteen hands hight, but very calm. He seems a little wary of strangers, but not skittish or aggressive. He's half asleep here, enjoying his time in the sun.

San Diego County Fair

2008-06-24T19:53:00.001-07:00

I went to the San Diego County Fair today and this is one of the many pictures I took that I will post over the next few days.

Chollas Lake Fishing Platform

2008-06-19T05:11:00.000-07:00

This is one of the platforms that the kids fish off of at Chollas Lake. It was empty the day that I took this because it was in the middle of the afternoon.

More Chollas Lake

2008-06-18T05:08:00.000-07:00

Here's another photo I took of Chollas Lake.

Chollas Lake

2008-06-17T05:04:00.000-07:00

Here's a photo I took yesterday of some Eucalyptus in Chollas Lake Park. You can see my slide slow on Associated Content about it:

Chollas Lake

Fletcher Cove

2008-06-16T19:01:00.000-07:00

Here's a shot of some people enjoying Fletcher Cover a few weeks ago.

Another photo of Fletcher Cove

2008-06-14T18:45:00.000-07:00

I decided to post another photo of Fletcher Cove and to promote my new profile on Associated Content. I plan to publish slideshows there. I may post photos that have already been shown on this blog, or I might post totally new photos exclusively to AC. Here is the link to the Fletcher Cove Slideshow:

Fletcher Cove

And to my Associated Content Profile:

Darlene Luckins

Monroe Avenue at Dusk

2008-06-03T19:07:00.000-07:00

This was taken about a week ago in San Diego, California at about 7:45 PM.

Urban San Diego at Dusk

2008-05-29T18:17:00.000-07:00

I took this on Memorial Day near 8PM, so there's not a lot of cars. I was thinking of doing some paintings with an urban theme and decided to shoot some photos at this time of day because I liked the way the light was. I actually took this photo RAW and bumped up the exposure a little bit, otherwise, there would have been too much contrast.

Urban Sunset

2008-05-27T17:59:00.000-07:00

I had to adjust the color of the sky, slightly, as it was overexposed when I processed the raw images so that the houses wouldn't be too dark. I just liked the way the light washed over these buildings.

Finished with my Still Life

2008-05-26T20:11:00.000-07:00

Here is the final posting of my still life colored pencil drawing. I plan to start a new project, soon.

Nearly Finished

2008-05-20T18:12:00.001-07:00

I'm nearly finished with this Wetcanvas project. Mostly, it's just taking care of details and smoothing down the pencil marks.

Another picture from Fletcher Cove

2008-05-17T19:12:00.001-07:00

Here's another beach picture from Fletcher Cove. I took a little of the blue out of it and warmed it up a bit.

Went to Fletcher Cove Today

2008-05-15T16:31:00.000-07:00

f/10, 1/500 sec, 125 ISO, 50mm lens

I went to Fletcher Cove in Solana Beach today and it was a very nice, warm day. I didn't bring my bathing suit because I thought it would be cold and dreary. Also, I thought the water would be too cold, but I don't think it was.

Mission Trails, Rim Trail

2008-05-10T18:29:00.000-07:00

This is a digital photo taken from Mission Trails Park Rim Trail looking down into the valley to the northeast.

Darkening the background

2008-05-05T19:29:00.000-07:00

I decided that I needed to darken the background to bring out more of the highlights in the foreground. I may darken that background even more.

Work in progress continued

2008-05-04T18:54:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest update on my colored pencil project. I predict I can get this done with about two more hours of work.

Update on the WIP for Wetcanvas.

2008-05-01T19:33:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't been working on this much, but here's the latest update. Unfortunately, scanning it makes every little line come out when it comes to colored pencil.

Flowers Everywhere!

2008-04-28T18:49:00.000-07:00

Here is another picture I took in March of the flowers. I may go out soon and take some new pictures, I just don't know where I'm going to take them.

Wetcanvas Still Life Project, Work in Progress.

2008-04-25T17:13:00.000-07:00

OK, here's an update on that colored pencil drawing that I'm doing for Wetcanvas. It will get better.

Santa Ysabel Preserve in Mid-December.

2008-04-24T14:53:00.000-07:00

This is a 35mm print that I took with my Pentax K1000 camera last December, 2007.

I plan to post the latest on the WIP drawing that I am doing tomorrow if I can get any more work done on it by then. I did some today, but I want to do more before I post an update.