Patricia comes from an important painting family. She is the daughter of the artist Long Jack Phillipus and the younger sister of the artist Charlotte Phillipus Napurrula. She was born at Papunya and has remained living there all her life. She attended school at Papunya and Yirara College in Alice Springs. Patricia said she started watching her father paint before she tried it herself. Her mother's country is Katjutarri Ngamana Yawalurra while her father's dreaming is Kalipinypa - water dreaming.

After a long break from painting in order to care for her husband, Patricia returned in 2017 and is proving herself to be a strong emerging talent. Patricia is a first time director of Papunya Tjupi this year, and also works at the art centre.