The name Ka-thart-is! Was born from the word 'Catharsis' - meaning the effect of art in purifying the emotions.

After studying psychology and working within the youth sector for the past eight years, Jodi O'Leary had her own cathartic experience that unleashed the artist within.

All of Jodi's paintings have come from within, she is an artist that works from the inside out. It is precisely the autobiographical element of Jodi's work that guarantees the genuineness of her art. Her themes are based on personal emotional experiences and issues of social injustice, whilst other paintings focus and exaggerate the beauty and colour of nature.

Her expressionist nature is bold and obvious with the use of clashing contrasting colours and weird distorted faces to express strong emotional content such as sorrow and despair. "Addicted To" is a fine example of such, using a mix media of acrylics, chalk and oil pastels, charcoal, ink, collage and poetry. This painting is confrontational and powerful. It uses bold thought provoking words and strong colours intermingled with poetry to take you into the harsh reality of drug addiction. "Flower" is a great example of Jodi's artistic diversity. Flower is an exaggeration of nature but the inherent expression within is illustrated brightly with a contrast of colours.

Like Munch and Bacon, Jodi's art uses harmonious colours clashing with violent colours and emphasized by forceful brushstrokes. Jodi likes her art to be as real and raw as possible - thus favouring big accentuated brush strokes that build texture and depth.

Email: kathartisart@yahoo.com.au