Light Reveals Hope
Raised in Burnsville by a hardworking mother and surrounded by music, JuliAnne Jonker has always found solace in the arts. She sold her first piece in junior high and launched a portrait studio in 1995, capturing families, children, and high school seniors while raising four children of her own. Today, she is also a grandmother of seven and an artist whose work carries a message of resilience.
Abuse
Her life, however, was shaped by more than creativity. Her parents were jazz musicians, and when she was in junior high, her father died. Her mother did her best with five children, but could not shield her from everything. She faced exposure to substance abuse and trauma from a young age.
JuliAnne endured sexual abuse, unhealthy relationships, and later an emotionally and physically abusive marriage. “While everything appeared fine from the outside, I was isolated and hurting,” she recalls. She found the courage to leave her husband to start a new life. But leaving his control would not be easy. Part of her divorce settlement required that she move to Minnesota, where his family was located — another attempt to isolate her.
Starting over in a healthy relationship
JuliAnne met her current husband during this period of her life. They married and began a new life with her two children in Minnesota. She was now in a healthy relationship and felt supported. This interrupted her ex-husband’s power and control influence. However, she still carried unrecognized wounds from her past and sought therapy.
Turning to Lewis House to address the trauma
A turning point came when JuliAnne reached out to Lewis House to attend a support group. “During my first support group, they listed the traits of a classic abuser on the board, and it felt as though my life story was being written there,” she says. “It was incredibly validating to hear that what I had endured was not normal and that I should not have to live that way.”
Group sessions for her and her two children provided a neutral space where they could learn about healthy relationships. “Sharing our stories helped me realize I was not alone.”
Thriving artist inspired by resilience
Decades later, JuliAnne’s life is safe, healthy, and vibrant. Her portrait studio thrives, and she teaches art from her home, using creativity as a tool for healing. “For an artist, everything created reflects the inner world,” she explains. “I am inspired by the resilience of the human spirit and the beauty of light. I’m drawn to the lighting that adds depth to the subject and reveals the inner beauty.”
Meaningful project
That inspiration shines in JuliAnne’s recent project: a portrait of French sculptor Camille Claudel. A destructive relationship with the famed sculptor Rodin and years of confinement in an asylum overshadowed Claudel’s brilliance.
“I personally connected with Camille Claudel’s story. Creating her portrait was cathartic, an affirmation that her life and talent mattered,” says Jonker.
Giving back to support survivors
Moved by the response to the piece from her social media followers, JuliAnne decided to use it to support others. A portion of the proceeds from the artwork will benefit Lewis House, helping survivors of domestic and sexual violence find safety and healing.
“I hope viewers feel a sense of connection and empowerment,” she says. “Every contribution can make a meaningful difference.”
Her message to other survivors is straightforward: “You are not alone. Seeking help is a brave and important step. There is strength in vulnerability, and there are people who care.”
Through art and advocacy, JuliAnne Jonker turns personal pain into collective hope, offering both beauty and a lifeline to those still searching for safety.
By choosing to purchase the art or donate, you are contributing to a movement of healing and empowerment for survivors. JuliAnne will donate 25% of sales of the prints and portrait of Camille Claudel to 360 Communities to support our violence prevention work. Visit her website to find out more.