Anna Lois White was born in Mount Albert, Auckland on November 2, 1903, the youngest of four children. Her father was an architect and both parents were devout Methodists. While her family and close friends called her 'Anna', she always signed her works 'A. Lois White', and was known in the art world as Lois (pronounced 'Loyce').

An outstanding scholar, singer, swimmer and artist at secondary school, White enrolled at Elam School of Art in 1923. Most of her years there were under the direction of Archie Fisher, who early on recognized her talent and fostered it. After graduating in 1927, White obtained part-time teaching positions at Elam and Takapuna Grammar School, and in 1934 she began ...