Hello. Welcome,
Dorothy Starbuck is a native of Miami Florida where she lived and played in the wondrous nature of South Florida and began painting her views of the natural world. She now resides in the Northern Panhandle of Florida in the Point Washington area of Santa Rosa Beach. Making her home near the state forests and the palmetto palms, and just minutes from the bay and the white sandy beaches of Destin and Scenic 30A give her daily inspiration. Florida and its abundant wild life, birds and fauna continue to challenge and awaken her creative side.
Although mostly self taught, workshops and classes have enhanced her natural talent in painting and her representational style conveys the calmness and serenity she feels while sketching and photographing in the field. Her powers of observation, pursuit of excellence and ability to capture the nuances of color, light and shadow give her oil painting an authentic feel. Starbuck’s realistic landscape paintings are filled with vibrancy, color, depth and phenomenal details. She has an uncanny ability to portray the natural world with feeling and grandeur while drawing the viewer in.
During her early career, she was privileged to be taught by Graham Ingles, renowned illustrator and historical painter. He helped her to bring “life and depth to my paintings through the keen observation of color and light.” You can see this special talent in her depiction of magical clouds and wonderful, captivating skies in her works. Starbuck also trained at the Metropolitan Museum and Art Center in North Miami with instructor Dave Herbert. The instructor helped her to focus her talents and create her personal style that reflects a love of nature and the play of light.
She was later chosen to participate in juried Fine Art Festivals, like Coconut Grove, Winter Park and locally at the Mattie Kelly Festival of Art in Destin. Starbuck’s award winning oil paintings have been featured in the Florida State Capital, the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C., and numerous Florida art museums. The United States Air Force commissioned her to do a painting to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Camp Pinchot at Eglin Air Force Base in Okaloosa County, FL. The painting titled “Camp Pinchot” is in their permanent collection. Another prized work reflecting Walton County's natural beauty is in the Walton County Public Library as part of their permanent collection.
Named as the very first “Artist of the Year” in Walton County, Florida, Starbuck has the distinct honor of being chosen to start a tradition of talented artists promoting tourism and the arts in the state. Now in its 23rd year, the prestigious award of “Artist of the Year” is given to a local artist in recognition of their creative works whose signature style embodies the creativity and beauty for which the area is known.
Another of Starbuck’s works in oil is now part of Florida History. Her art is on display at The Museum of Florida History and Risner Fine Art Collection in Tallahassee, FL. Her oil painting titled, "Meating Place", 2004, Osceola County was purchased by Florida art collector Ron Risner and later donated as part of an important permanent collection currently featuring 180 artworks by Florida Artists. Predominately landscapes, these works of art document Florida’s natural beauty.
A large part of her time is spent painting and teaching oil painting in the local area. She has taught for more than 40 years and has led numerous workshops and demonstrations on painting in oils. Starbuck also serves the art community and is a member for the Cultural Arts Alliance, The Women’s Art Network and the Emerald Coast Plein Air Painters of Walton County.
Two of her paintings are featured in the book “A Trip Down the Loxahatchee” by James D Snyder. Starbuck is currently represented by the River’s Edge Art Gallery in Apalachicola, FL.
Artist Statement
As a classic fine art painter, my art features the natural world of Florida. From its many beautiful rivers and lakes, to the wonderful wildlife, to its white sandy beaches, our state has so much to offer. I love capturing the idyllic scenes so close to home. With each stroke of my brush, I want to make a lasting piece of work that takes the viewer on a journey to the beautiful world around us. For as long as I can remember, I have had a passion for nature and art. I frequently travel around my beloved state of Florida searching for remote, undisturbed areas where the wildlife and fauna are plentiful and unique. These trips to the wild provide the inspiration for my paintings and have given me many wonderful, exciting experiences.
I invite you to experience what Florida has to offer in my works in oil.