Julie Woods was born at Irrunytju (Wingellina), Western Australia, but grew up across the border in South Australia at Kanpi where her parents moved when she was young. Her mother was Elaine Woods, a well-known artist with Papulankutja Artists and her maternal grandmother, Maringka Baker, a highly regarded painter with Tjungu Palya Art Centre at Nyapri, South Australia. As Julie was taught to paint by her grandmother, she inherited her grandmother’s story from Irrunytju regarding a sacred place associated with two sisters travelling as well as Ku Ala – a sacred women’s place south of Irruntju. Julie moved to Papulankatja (Blackstone) to be with her partner Lance Peck also an artist with Papulankutja Artists. Papulankatja is Julie’s grandfather’s Country.