Isabella Jobling (nee Thompson) was born in Newcastle, the daughter of a ship's chandler. She attended Newcastle School of Design and then completed her studies in Paris. She first exhibited in 1883 and the following year showed work at the Bewick Club where she continued to exhibit for many years. She lived for a time at Cullercoats, and during this time she began to exhibit at the Royal Society of British Artists. In 1891 Isa returned to Newcastle and established a studio in the city centre. In the early 1890s she first visited Staithes, and here she came to love the North Yorkshire coast. Her first Royal Academy exhibit "Fisher Folk" was shown in 1893 to much acclaim, and the following year it was shown at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. In 1893 she became the second wife of Robert Jobling, and at first they lived at Whitley Bay, painting at Cullercoats. However, Isa introduced Robert to Staithes, and this became their summer painting base. Isa was a member of the Staithes Group and the Staithes Art Club. She painted landscapes, coastal and genre scenes in both oils and watercolours. As well as at local exhibitions, her work was shown at Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, the Royal Scottish Academy, the Royal Miniature Society, the Royal Society of British Artists and the Royal Ácademy. An example of her work is in the Shipley Art Gallery in Gateshead.