Katherine Dunn

Katherine’s art is entwined with her life amongst nature and animals on her small farm and non profit animal sanctuary in midcoast Maine. Her paintings are lyrical and combine layers of color, often encased in a foggy atmosphere just like the Maine coast that surrounds her. More than anything, she considers herself a story teller-be it using paint, clay, or words. “When I’m creating anything, it’s as if I become that animal, or I am in the exact spot of the land conversing with them…This 1760 property is highly charged which makes it even more magical as an artist.”

She and her husband are the sole caretakers of 60+ needy animals-donkeys, fowl, horses, ponies, dogs, cats and pigs. Many come from neglect, or have lost their owners due to old age. Her land and animals are merged into her art and story and if you follow her social medias you will recognize many animal characters tin her work, especially the intuitive white goose. 

Katherine began her career in Minneapolis in 1996, as an illustrator but moving to the farm in 2004 opened her up to working as a painter and story teller. The animals of her farm became daily partners in her stories and art, and in illustrated books. Her books combine art and often photographs and share the stories of love, loss, grief and acceptance–“I’ve always been drawn in by elders, be it people or animals”. She has written/illustrated 6 books. She currently writes a monthly column, Tales & Tails, which is written through the voices of her animals.

In 2024, Katherine began working in clay again-a medium she began with in college. Some of her clay work also incorporates painting on the clay. Her studio mate is a rabbit named Dandelion. Visit her work at katherinedunn.us. See more of her animal sanctuary at apiferafarm.org