Isobel was born at Larimpa and grew up at Papunya where she attended school. She also went to Yirara College in Alice Springs and trained as a Health Care Worker achieving certificates 1 and 2. Isobel worked for the clinic and at the Women's Centre which is now the Aged Care facility. She is of Amnatyerre descent on her father's side, Jim Gorey.

Isobel started working in the visual arts in 2006 when Pofessor Vivien Johnson, CoFA, University of NSW organised a print making workshops followed by an exhibition in 2007. Isobel started painting once Papunya Tjupi started operations in October 2007.