Kate Jane Neal trained at Edinburgh College of Art, studying Ceramics & Painting, and won the Wedgwood New Designer of the year award. She was awarded the Andrew Grant Scholarship to study at postgraduate level, and went on to exhibit in various galleries throughout the UK, including the Scottish Gallery who represented her at SOFA in Chicago. She was compelled to write and illustrate her debut children's book, Words and Your Heart , in response to observing verbal bullying within schools.