Rene was born c 1950 at Warlu,a rock hole west of Irrunytju, near Papulankutja (Blackstone) in Western Australia. As a young child Rene lived a semi nomadic lifestyle in the desert.

"When I was little I walked in the bush with my mother and father from rock hole to rock hole. If a little rock hole got dry we would travel to one of the main rock holes which always had water.”

Rene walked with her family to Warburton Mission and then on to Areyonga mission in the Northern Territory where she went to school. Years later the family walked to Papulankutja and then on to Irrunytju community where Rene married and raised her five children and five grandchildren.

Irrunytju (Wingellina) is where Rene currently resides.

Rene Nelson is a founding member of Irrunytju Arts in Wingellina. Her paintings continue to draw on her knowledge of Country and the important rock holes and landscape around her place of birth and subsequent adulthood. Her work is characterised by layers of vibrant colours, intensified by precise dotting. Nelson is a skilled bush woman and incorporates her love of traditional craft skills including punu (wood) carving, tjanpi (grass) weaving, and bead work.