Heidi Thompson (Wunderli) was born in Vernon, B.C. Canada. After graduating high school she moved to Europe to study art. From 1975-1979 she attended the University of Art & Design in Zürich earning a Swiss Diploma for Professional Photography. Her photographs can be found in the archives of the Kunstgewerbeschule. After graduating, Thompson moved to Nürnberg and apprenticed with German painter Oskar Koller for one year. Koller recommended that she continue her art education at the Akademie der Buildene Künste Nürnberg. Thompson was accepted into the academy and spent one year painting and drawing under the guidance of Professor Ernst Weil. However, seeking a more traditional art school, Thompson moved to Budapest and studied painting with Professor Kokas Ignac at the Hungarian State University for Fine Art.

In 1982, she returned to Canada, married Edward Thompson and worked as a freelance photographer, painter and book publisher. She also became interested in meditation and after her first 10-day Vipassana course in 1983, she continues practicing today. Her experience with Vipassana has been the greatest influence for creating color energy fields.

In 1995, Thompson published Recapitulation - Life and Art of Sveva Caetani which won the VanCity Book of Excellence Award. A few years after her daughter was born, she wrote Calm Focus Joy - a practical guide for teaching adults and children breath awareness - the first step in learning Vipassana. Heidi Thompson lives in Coldstream, BC, paints full time and exhibits her work in the USA, Canada and Europe.