Adele Thomas: Mormon Artist
Adele Thomas is a textile artist. She uses natural fibers to create decorative textiles. She also explores the use of natural dyes such as woad, onion skins, and iron oxide from local soil that have been used on cloth locally for centuries. In an interview with Mormon Artist, she described her work process:
- I have quite a methodical approach to my work. I would love to say my work is spontaneous, but that would not be true. I start off with a design source—that can be from a walk, a thought, a memory, or even something someone says. I put those ideas into a workbook, trying to capture the feeling of that inspiration. While this happens, ideas come to me of ways to interpret that into fabric. There are many techniques to choose from and I experiment until the right one leaps out. The design begins to take on a life and spirit of its own.[1]
In addition to creating pieces of textile art, she teaches for West County Embroiderers and has taught at various primary schools. She teaches workshops and tutorials online. Her work has been included in numerous group exhibitions.
Thomas obtained a City and Guilds Certificate and Diploma in Creative Textiles through Exeter College in 2007, a City and Guilds Diploma in Creative Embroidery from Duchy College in 2009, NCFE in Wool Felting from Bicton College in 2010, FdA in Fine Art from Exeter College in 2013, and graduated with an Honours degree in Fine Art through Plymouth University in 2014.
Adele is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She and her husband, Mike, live in Devon, England, and are the parents of three daughters.
