From homelessness to healing: Natalie Marlin-Dunken shares her story through art
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV)-- Natalie Marlin-Dunken isn’t a typical author. The creator of Occupy Your Mind wrote the book during one of the hardest times in her life—while experiencing homelessness.
During that time, Dunken filled journals with drawings, coloring pages and reflections about everything she was going through.
“Actually, by doing that, I saved my soul, so I thought maybe I can do the same for others who are out there going through a tough time,” she said.
When asked where she found the supplies to create her artwork, Dunken didn’t hesitate.
“It was sometimes the stuff you find in the dumpsters,” she said.
Without money to buy art supplies, she made do with whatever she could find. Despite those challenges, she never stopped creating.
For Dunken, drawing has always been more than a hobby—it’s therapy.
“It helps me with mindfulness, peace, calm and I get focused, and I just rejuvenate for the next day, you know,” Dunken added.
Looking back on her journey, one message stands out above all else.
“There is light at the end of the tunnel,” Dunken said.
She encourages others to try journaling and coloring as a way to cope with stress and difficult emotions.
To make the experience even more comfortable for readers, she included duplicate coloring pages in the back of Occupy Your Mind, so no one has to worry about making mistakes or feeling anxious about coloring a page.
“The journey was pretty challenging, but by journaling and drawing and creating my own designs and coloring, it really helped me,” Dunken said.
She said expressing her experiences through art also helped her let go of things that no longer mattered.
Occupy Your Mind is available online through Barnes & Noble and Walmart. Dunken said she also plans to have copies available at the nearby bookstores in Downtown St. Joseph.
The book is just one of many projects she has completed. Dunken has already finished 12 books, all created while she was homeless.
“They are all different styles, and I did work on all these books when I was homeless and I also have a lot of others which are completed and ready to get published,” Dunken said.
Through her work, Dunken hopes people realize there is always a healthy way to release stress.
Whether it's writing, drawing or coloring, she believes putting emotions on paper can help people let go, practice self-love and begin healing.
