About the Artist

Michael John Ashcroft ROI MAFA

Born in 1969, Michael John Ashcroft grew up in a small village called Croston in the heart of Lancashire, and from an early age, he had a keen interest in all things arty. After leaving school in 1985 with top grades in art, he began his career as an engineer, painting and sketching only in his spare time. In 1998, he had a major operation to remove a brain tumor and decided to paint more seriously. He returned to college and completed numerous classes in art, including A-level fine art, OCA in portraiture, and life drawing classes, which he continues to do weekly.

His paintings have evolved over the years from early abstract acrylics to using oils and more representational works. The foundations that underpin his paintings haven’t changed and that is his fascination with light and dark and his love for the city and the landscape.

Michael’s work has become highly sought after and he is seen as being a painter using traditional methods as David Lee Art Critic and editor of the art review magazine The Jackdaw quoted:

 There are no secrets in what he does. Being open and honest he tells you directly through his pictures where his interests lie. We don’t have to be told by experts the meaning of his work because they are self-evident – we can see them for ourselves. In his landscapes as well as his views of the city, he willingly lays bare his pleasures and beliefs. You can’t ask more of any artist than this. He is a worthy heir of those in the great tradition of Lancashire painters.

Michael has gained many awards over the years; his recent ones include gaining entry into the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, being accepted into the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts Royal Society of British Artists, and the Howard de Walden Exhibitions in London. His work also gained him a place at the Mall Galleries where he beat over three thousand artists competing on the BBC 2 Art program ‘Show Me The Monet’ and became one of only thirty to show their work at the Mall Galleries, London.

Michael is based in Lancashire where he originally studied. His works are shown in galleries in the UK, and Michael has collectors from all over the world.

Social Media Details 

Michael John Ashcroft Website

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Awards,
ROI Dartington Crystal Chalice Award 2024 
Boldbrush Award Winner 2024 
Awarded the ROI 2020