Caroline Self has studied Asian brush painting for 30 years. She holds a degree in art from UC Berkeley and a master's degree in art education and sculpture from San Diego State University. She has taught brush painting for over twenty-five years and has studied traditional brush painting with teachers in Japan, China and Taiwan.

Susan Self studied art in college and on trips to Europe and Asia, often accompanying her mother. She has a Ph.D. in comparative literature from UC San Diego.