Michael John Ashcroft ROI MAFA
Born in 1969, Michael John Ashcroft grew up in a small village called Croston in the heart of Lancashire. After leaving school in 1985 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 tumour and decided to paint more seriously. He returned back to college and completed numerous classes including A- level fine.
His paintings have evolved over the years from early abstract acrylics to using oils and more representational works painted on location. The foundations that underpin his paintings hasn’t changed and that is his fascination with light and dark and his love for the city and the landscape. David Lee (art critic) 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 is a member of the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts and has exhibited in The Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Royal Society of British Artists, The New English Art Club, The Howard De Walden Exhibition and The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in London.
Society Member
- AROI Associate ROI Member
- Manchester Academy of Fine Art
Awards
- Shortlisted GM Arts Prize 2019
- ROI Prize Winner of the Frank Herring Easel Award 2017
- BoldBrush American Art Award Prize Winner 2017
- Buxton Spa Prize 3rd Prize Winner 2015
- BoldBrush American Art Award, Finalist 2014
- Artist of the Year 2013 Finalist and Highly Commended
- International Artist Magazine Finalist 2007
- West Lancashire Open Art Competition, Commendation
- South Ribble winner and Peoples prize
- Preston Harris Open Art Museum Winner
- BBC Show Me the Monet Finalist
Exhibitions
- Northern Boys Exhibition, Contemporary Six 2019
- Oldham Art Gallery MAFA 2019
- Whitaker Art Gallery MAFA 2019
- Solo Exhibition, Contemporary Six Gallery 2017
- Colourfield Gallery 2017
- Mcgill Duncan Art Gallery 2016, 2017, 2018
- New Light Ex Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery 2018
- New Light Ex Bankside Gallery, London 2018
- New Light Ex Huddersfield Art Gallery 2018
- New Light Ex Bowes Museum 2017
- Royal Institute of Oil Painters, London 2017
- Buxton Spa Prize 2015, 2016
- Royal Institute of Oil Painters, London 2011, 2012, 2014
- New English Art Club 2016
- RA Summer Exhibition 2015
- Howard De Walden Exhibition, London 2012, 2013
- Hepplestones Fine Art Gallery Solo Exhibition 2012
- Colourfield Gallery Visions of Manchester Joint Exhibition 2012
- MAFA Spring Exhibition 2013
- Royal Society of British Artists 2014-2019
- Thompson’s Contemporary, London, Exhibition2013, 2014
- Artist Of The Year Exhibition 2014 Mall Galleries, London
- Harris open Exhibition 2013
- John Noott Joint Exhibition 2013
- Thompsons Art Gallery, Marylebone Exhibition 2013
- Biscuit Factory Art Gallery, Newcastle Exhibition 2013
- Hepplestones Fine Art Gallery Solo Exhibition 2012, 2013
- Colourfield Gallery, Visions of Manchester, Joint Exhibition 2012 Show me the Monet, Mall Galleries, London 2012
