Kaneko "Connie" McNeill was born and raised in Hiroshima, Japan. While in Japan, she learned Sumi Calligraphy from Harue Kawakita, and also studied Sumi-e (Oriental Sumi painting) with Ric Chin and Mr. Ju. In 1963, she came to Salisbury with her husband, a native North Carolinian. She has studied with John Brady, Dr. Walter Hood, Ron Crusan, Sally Miller, Jean Dobie, Christopher Shink, Don Andrews, Alex Powers, Wolf Kahn and Charles Basham.

Kaneko has had solo shows at the Waterworks Arts Center in Salisbury, the Museum of Arts and Science in Statesville, the Depot Gallery in Mooresville and several others. She has participated in group art shows and juried shows throughout North Carolina. She is a charter member of the Watercolor Society of North Carolina, and was awarded an Honorary Life Membership in 1997.