Thelma was born at the old Alcoota settlement. She now lives in Engawala Community along with her family who are artists as well. When she lived at Utopia she used to paint for Tim who collected artworks for Mbantua gallery in Alice Springs. Thelma became involved in the Engawala Art Centre in 2020.
Thelma regularly paints at the new Engawala Art Centre where her work is for sale, she also sells at Northern Territory markets and exhibitions and through several local retail outlets. Thelma’s artwork is also found on the Engawala Art Centre website. She paints acrylic on canvas and her main theme of work is bush tucker. She also makes native seed jewellery.
Thelma enjoys painting because it helps her relax. She learnt how to paint by watching her mother who is her biggest influence.
As Thelma wants to gain more skills and techniques for her passion she has been attending Batchelor Institute for Indigenous Tertiary Education in Alice Springs and completed a certificate 2 in Visual Arts.
Thelma were one of 11 Engawala Artists who wrote and illustrated a children's book titled "Tim's Journey Back In Time" written in English and Anmatjere about the 8 million year old Mega Fauna fossils found at Alcoota near Engawala Community.