Her father, Jules Lessore, also decorated pottery but was primarily a marine painter, he had exhibitions at the Royal Academy and Paris Salon.
Powell studied calligraphy at the Central School of Arts and Crafts.
"She became highly skilled and well known, illuminating some of William Morris’ incomplete work, and extending her interests to decorative designs and the painting of furniture for Ernest Grimson".
Ada's artistic interests were therefore very much encouraged by her family and she had many roots to the pottery company Wedgwood.