Katherine Dunn

"Misfits of Love" {Healing Conversations in the Barnyard}

ISBN 978-0-9898271-1-9 Available at http://misfits-of-love.com

An illustrated memoir - the author journeys through the death of her father, all the time hospicing her own elder goats and "Misfits" of her barnyard. Working with them allows her to explore her feelings and memories, in a safe, quiet place, as she and the animals have internal conversations together. With over 65 of the artist's art and photographs-A perfect gift for those suffering through the loss of a parent or loved one; for those who believe in the healing power of animal and farm, and for lovers of Chagall like art that emotes and heals.

Katherine Dunn says that her world is a 'collision of art, animals and farm'. She has been a full time artist since 1996, but when she moved to Oregon in 2002 her world changed. There she had meant a landscaper, married him, and the two set out to buy property and....well, they kind of had a plan. They opted to grow 4000 lavender plants as a crop, and the rest of their acreage they developed into grazing fields for their young flock of sheep. Their goal was to be more sustainable, improve the land, and work and live on something that had a heartbeat.

Besides raising sheep, Katherine began adopting old and needy barn animals into her farm - old and handicapped goats, blind ponies, elder donkeys, grumpy pigs and wandering roosters. The animal muses from her farm inspire both art and writing, and she also creates puppets and felted creatures to use in her puppet movies.

Her first book, "Creative illustration Workshop" [Quarry Books] inspired readers to look at their worlds as a stage of stories to paint and share. Her paintings are also showcased on Sundance. Visit her art at www.katherinedunn.us, follow her life as artist-farmer-pig mother-pie maker-donkey lover at www.apiferafarm.blogspot.com