Author · Artist · Professional storyteller
Thomas Freese
Kentucky's chronicler of the unusual: Shaker ghosts, true tales of the otherworldly, and the spirits of trees.
About the author
Thomas Freese is an author, artist and professional storyteller. He has written 200 articles and reviews and 13 books. He also works as a teaching artist (artist in residence) visiting schools, libraries, children's camps, churches, assisted living and more. He has performed entertaining and educational storytelling programs across Kentucky, and as far as Argentina and Alaska.
His articles include a decade of monthly travel articles in the Midwest, as well as reviews for books and metaphysical publications. Mr. Freese has authored 10 nonfiction and 3 fiction books. His three fiction books include an illustrated children's picture book, Halloween Sleepwalker, and several ghost story/horror collections of short stories.
His research, and one to one interviews (many were audio recorded), provide the material for his 10 nonfiction titles. Thomas has been fascinated with the unusual, paranormal and spiritual since middle school. His first book, Shaker Ghost Stories from Pleasant Hill, Kentucky came about as he spent ten years as a volunteer Shaker singer at the restored village near Lexington, Kentucky. Illustrated with photos of the historic location and the story contributors, it was published in 2005.
Over the past several decades, Mr. Freese has continued to investigate and document oral testimonies, moving to four books of general collections; that is, not just true encounters with ghosts but adding stories about spirits, angels, UFOs, fairy folk and more.
In addition, Mr. Freese wrote an additional book of Shaker ghost stories including several other Shaker historic communities, Shaker Ghosts Shaker Spirits. And with coauthor historian Bryan Bush, Thomas published Civil War ghost encounters in their Haunted Battlefields of the South.
Other titles for this prolific writer include Making Wood Jewelry Southwest Style and several fascinating books on the spiritual meanings of hundreds of trees: Tree Spirits and Wood Wisdom and Sacred Trees Protectors Teachers Healers.
In his “spare time” Thomas Freese created a line of wood crafts. He also works in bone, stone, shell and antler. He crafts wood jewelry, spoons, animal figures, beads, pendants, wands, and he decorates boxes and other wood items with intricate hand done wood burning. Mr. Freese has worked extensively with Celtic interlace designs.
As a teaching artist, Mr. Freese has worked through the Kentucky Arts Council, Arts for All Kentucky, the Kentucky Storytelling Association, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and many additional organizations. He teaches pop up cards, Origami, wood crafts, Native American design work, Celtic Art and more.
Thomas's metaphysical interests and work include 29 years as a working psychic, speaker on diverse topics and his books of true tales of angels and spirits. He currently is working to complete several unique oracles. Children and grownups are fascinated to hear Thomas perform story programs, read his books and benefit from his teaching expertise as an artist.
Mr. Freese's life experience and stories include his residencies in numerous US states: Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Texas, Kentucky and New Mexico.
BA, Psychology · Master's Degree, Expressive Therapies · Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) · Board-Certified Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC)
