Artist Biography

Mabel Starkie is a passionate and versatile artist born and raised in Colorado Springs. 

Specializing in wet media such as watercolor, ink, and markers. Her process utilizes scenes captured from life, to create detailed sketches as the foundation of her artwork; only to dismiss the reference. Her mind and body take over to create a raw interpretation of what once was. Blurring the lines of reality, introspection, and perception. With artwork largely representative of intense emotions like nostalgia, clarity, frustration, and grief.

Hand-drawn sketch of a Mabel Starkie, standing in a mirror, holding a sketchbook and pen. Observing herself whilst drawing.

‍ “The moment is now, to capture it with the projections that exist around and within oneself is something only the observer can create.”

Raised in a chaotic and rapidly developing world, she translates the moment to her canvas, to realize the magic that hides in the contrasts of light, life, and liberty. Starkie has a deep compassion for the depth of the human condition. There is an inner and outer world, she believes interpreting both is expressive realism in its purest. 

“Letting the self react honestly about what is perceived will shine a light on the soul.”

Starkie also has exceptional work in portraiture. Interpreting the individual onto her canvas with precise resemblance. Capturing the essence of someone’s aura is far from simple. She demonstrates her mastery in portraiture by emphasizing vibrant shadows, familiar expressions, and striking contrasts that draw the viewer in. With a quick tempo and passionate hand, Starkie’s portraits can be done with speed, quality, and consistency. 

Though we are facing the unknown in “The Age of Artificial Intelligence”, Starkie hopes to bring contentment and excitement into the inevitable uncertainty.

Sketch of 3 people in a bedroom, and 2 dogs. Both dogs lying on a bed with a blanket, two people sitting on the bed, and one seated on the floor. The room has two windows and a wall with hats hanging on hooks.
An abstract painting of three women's faces with exaggerated features and bright colors, set against a dark background with geometric patterns.
A colorful painting of two women smiling and embracing, with a background decorated with purple hearts. The face's are highlighted with heart shapes.

Connection Fuels Creativity

Two people lying on the grass with eyes closed, one with short hair and the other with shoulder-length hair, outdoors in a natural setting.
Hand-drawn caricature of a woman with long red hair and a woman with short brown hair, both with exaggerated facial features, against a pink background with doodles and writing.

Exhibitions & Recognitions

  • (2020) Placed 1st

    (2021) Placed 2nd

    (2022) Placed 2nd

  • (2022) Placed 1st

  • (2021) Placed 1st in Painting

  • (2021) For outstanding achievement in the use of water media

  • (2021) Presented by Colorado Art Education Association

Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition awarded to Mabel Starkie for first place in painting at the 2021 Congressional Art Competition, with the U.S. House of Representatives seal at the top.
Certificate from Colorado Watercolor Society awarding Mabel Starkie the Emerging Artist Award in March 2021 for outstanding achievement in Water Media, signed by Beatrice Trautman.
Certificate of achievement from the Bemis School of Art at Colorado College awarded to Mabel Starkie for participation in the 2021 Congressional Art Competition themed "This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land," signed by Tara Sevinne Thomas, Director of Bemis School of Art.