Thelma has come from a strong family of artists. Mbantua Gallery has nurtured her and her sisters while painting since she first began in 1998. Her work reflects the unique style of her large extended family.

Thelma's artistic style is more commonly influenced by the designs of her Awelye (women's ceremony and body paint) for the stories belonging to her father's country, Ankerrapw. Thelma has developed a very fine dot style and loves to experiment with beautiful colours. She has also painted women's stories of collecting bush foods, which has always been an important role for women. One particular women's story that belongs to Thelma's country is Ntyemeny, the ruby saltbush.

The daughter of artist Elsie Dixon Penangke and senior man of Ankerrapw, Walter Dixon Pwerle, Thelma has four sisters (three of whom also paint), Elizabeth, Dianne, Maureen and Jilly, and one brother, Henry Dixon, also an artist for Mbantua Gallery.

Thelma gets all of her Dreaming stories from her father's country, Ankerrapw.