Jodie was born and raised in northern Indiana. She graduated from Penn High School in Mishawaka. When her plans to attend art school were thwarted, she earned her livelihood as a floral designer before opening her decorative arts boutique in Goshen, Indiana. At the turn-of-the-century she resurrected her dream for a fine art degree, which eventually led her to relocate to Indianapolis, where she has lived and worked for 17 years.