My name is Jodi Ivester, and I was raised in Iowa. I’ve been married for 27 years and am a mother of three and a grandmother of five. Therapy using the arts was never presented to me as an option to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

I spent a long time, 40 years, trying talk therapy to help with my anxiety, but it didn’t work for me—it actually made me feel more anxious. I understand that seeing a counselor or psychologist can help others, but when it comes to my severe PTSD, talking about it did not make me feel better. Instead, it got worse. I had to accept that my trauma couldn’t be completely healed and focus on finding ways to reduce my anxiety.

As an artist grappling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), my journey toward healing led me beyond conventional therapies. As I began to sketch, it became a vital outlet for managing my intense anxiety. It wasn’t long before I uncovered the profound impact of art on my well-being. Transitioning to painting, I embarked on a voyage of self-discovery and unearthed a fervent passion for artistic expression. Through my experiences, I aspire to convey to others that the aftermath of trauma can unveil unexpected splendor. My artwork is a reflection of the enchanting beauty I’ve embraced amidst my struggles. Each brushstroke is a deliberate attempt to retrain my mind to appreciate the world’s inherent wonders.

My work lives at the intersection of emotion and expression—what I call Emotional Expressionism. It’s a style rooted in the belief that art is a mirror of the soul, a place where feelings take shape through color, texture, and movement. I paint to process life—its trauma, healing, and transformation—and I invite viewers into that journey.

Through layered brushstrokes, symbolic imagery, and a palette centered in deep blues, I seek to evoke emotion rather than replicate reality. Water often appears in my work—not just as a visual theme, but as a metaphor for emotional depth, stillness, and flow. Every element in my paintings carries meaning. Nothing is accidental.

Emotional Expressionism is more than a style; it’s a way of healing. It’s how I turn pain into beauty, and stillness into strength.

Thank you visiting my gallery. Enjoy my art.

I’m turning trauma into beauty.