Dori Starkey, Self Portrait, 1957 — Painted while still in high school, this early self-portrait by San Diego artist Dori Starkey offers a glimpse into the quiet confidence and creative spirit that would shape a remarkable life. With a palette of warm earth tones and expressive brushwork, Dori captures herself mid-thought — poised, perceptive, and full of promise. Her delicate features, gently clasped hands, and subtle smile speak to both vulnerability and strength, set against an abstracted backdrop that frames her presence with painterly energy. Born in 1935 and raised in Hillcrest, Dori pursued art with passion and depth, studying under Phil Dike and Millard Sheets at Scripps College before continuing at Otis Art Institute and in Mexico City. She later became a beloved figure in the Southern California arts community — exhibiting widely, founding the Rancho Santa Fe Art Guild, and operating a gallery of her own. This self-portrait, painted in 1957 and signed simply “Dori,” is a rare and intimate record of a young artist at the threshold of her journey — a tribute to her enduring artistry and her San Diego roots.