Judy Watson Napangardi was "born bush" around 1935 on Mt Doreen Station, northwest of Alice Springs. Judy grew up living the traditional life of a Warlpiri girl, travelling throughout her tribe's ancestral lands, in particular around the Mina Mina area between the Gibson and Tanami Deserts.

Judy Watson took up painting in 1986, initially being taught by her elder sister, noted artist Maggie Watson Napangardi. Over time Judy and Maggie moved from the use of discreet dots in their paintings to a distinctive drag and dot technique where the brush does not leave the canvas as they paint. Some say that this technique mimics the style of dancing typical of Warlpiri women in which they drag their feet through the dust. Typical of many Warlp...