Ruth MacLean was born and brought up in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In her young years she had a cat, and many more followed. Ailsa was a very special one.
Ruth studied art at the University of Guelph, and later at Lambton College in Sarnia, Ontario. Her family connections brought her to the Isle of Islay in Scotland, where she worked for several years on a sheep farm. Here she enjoyed learning to spin wool and the art of using natural dyes. She makes 'Earth and Spirit' dolls using materials she collects from her walks in the hills and on the beach. She also paints landscapes. Ruth delights in the simplicity of scissors and paper, with which she created her intriguing paper cut-outs for the book about Ailsa.
Catherine was born in Scotland and from the age of seven, spent much of her time travelling - her father being a professional diplomat. The Isle of Islay provided the family with a welcome refuge, and many happy holidays were spent there. She has recently made Islay her permanent home.
She studied art at Ruskin College of Drawing and Fine Art in Oxford, and at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London, then went on to train as a teacher in East Africa. Her experience as a teacher in African secondary schools changed her life. She began writing. She worked on plays with her African pupils and later joined the BBC as a writer/producer, and wrote educational text books. Catherine also paints landscapes. In 1994 she trained as an art therapist. She firmly believes that creativity is a burning ember inside all of us, and that creative self-expression is a way of giving meaning to life.