Short Summary

I am Dianna Cates Dunn, a Colorado artist who discovered a muse called Tula in a painting where she emerged unintended, unannounced and unexpectedly captivating!  Two years later, after working through  20 paintings in which Tula has been a central figure, I have been encouraged to share the insights, empowerment and yes, even courage, given from this journey I have taken with Tula with the greater world.  Tula’s truths and her muse’s voice will continue to infuse my body of work and will offer each of us a shared view of Tula's joyful, riotously colorful and deeply insightful world. Rarely, to my knowledge, is a muse as determined and generous as Tula. In the very first painting she appeared in "Tula Brings Tea", I was inspired to write:

Tula is a wonder.

Unflappable, all knowing, all caring.

There's little she can't do and even less she won't put her hand to.

When needed, she is there.

Everyone should have a Tula in their lives.We have all been called upon to give care to someone during our lives.As parents, siblings, and even children, we are often called upon to care for and sometimes even make important decisions for another. Although I view it as a great honor, the giving of care can become a difficult burden so that the caregiver sometimes needs a caregiver.

       

What has resulted from that beginning is, The Truths of Tula- A Muse and Her Artist, a book filled with magical words and luminous images about life that will shine as a bright beacon of love and hope for every one of us. Please help me to bring forward The Truths of Tula, a book you’ll want to own, enjoy and share again and again for a lifetime. 

What We Need & What You Get

To print The Truths of Tula, to rent storage for the inventory and to distribute and properly market it to bookstores, online venues and to the school and public library market, to purchase supplies for shipping, to pay for advertising and to enter national book award programs we need to raise $15,000. To self-publish any book, unless the author already has resources, takes a strong team of committed friends, family, followers and people who love the imaginative and deeply inspirational marriage of words and art that The Truths of Tula provides in magnificent abundance.

We plan to print a first run of 5,000 copies as this obtains for us the very best printing price available.  The book will be printed on forest-sustainable paper in hardback format, using paper weight, paper coloring and coating to assure that the gorgeous Tula paintings included in the book are displayed to best advantage.

We are offering a variety of perks including signed copies of the book, an opportunity for your name to appear on the Acknowledgements page, a copy of a Tula print and more.  Take a look at our Perks for contributors and choose a perk that will reflect your connection to this marvelous book for years to come.

If we do not reach our goal, we will print as many copies of the book as our budget allows.   Whether you can contribute a little or a lot, you will be a part of bringing forward a very special book to the world -- one that can open or heal hearts and shine light into someone's daily life. Please tell others about our campaign by sharing this link and invite others to be a part of helping to birth a book that is very special, unusual and deeply moving. 

The Impact

A true artistic muse, Tula has made her presence not only felt by her artist, Dianna Cates Dunn, but has demanded to share her 'truths' with the rest of world.  In her gentle way, Tula has come to offer reassurance and delight as we each strive to  make our voice heard in this occasionally challenging and often overwhelming world.  The Truths of Tula offers inspiration, joy, guidance and support to its readers -- a daily treasure trove of love and hope.

Risks & Challenges

So many new books are issued every year and with the rise of self-publishing especially in the US, it is a challenge to 'break through the noise' with yet another book and to obtain that one-half inch of library or retail shelf space in an enormously competitive market.  To surmount obstacles, I have retained the services of Satiama Writers Resource, a division of Satiama, LLC, a highly successful publisher.  Satiama Writers Resource will help to assure the book will be distributed within the US and Canada and to bring The Truths of Tula to the attention of bookstore owners, librarians and the larger public.

Other Ways You Can Help

I hope you will consider purchasing one of my great perks.  But whether you can contribute a little or a lot, you will be a part of bringing forward a very special book to the world -- one that can open or heal hearts and shine light into someone's daily life. Please tell others about our campaign by sharing this link and invite to be a part of helping to birth a book that is very special, unusual and deeply moving.