Jo Temming’s unconventional life journey has deeply shaped her artistic expression. Born in Seoul and adopted by an American family after being abandoned at age four, Jo found solace in academics amidst a difficult upbringing—starting college at thirteen while still in high school. Her artistic path began through mentorship from a district arts coordinator who recognized her talent and helped her earn a scholarship to the Kansas City Art Institute’s development program. There, she explored a range of printmaking techniques including silk screening and etching. Though she initially pursued graphic design, Jo realized her true passion lay in fine art. Lacking the resources to create the art she envisioned, she pivoted into the corporate world, later earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business to combine her creative drive with analytical skills.

Jo’s success in business eventually gave her the financial freedom to return to art on her own terms. After founding and operating several companies—and later establishing a private equity firm—she began devoting more time to her creative work. Her approach to art is deeply process-driven, often requiring custom-built tools and labor-intensive methods. Jo is committed to producing work that is experiential and best viewed in person, choosing not to sell online. For her, success isn’t measured by acclaim or sales, but by the joy of giving form to ideas and sparking engagement. She credits her nontraditional path for granting her the freedom to develop an authentic, unpressured style and remains active in the business and nonprofit worlds while continuing to create.