Michael Ashcroft ROI MAFA British, b. 1969

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 haven’t changed and that is his fascination with light and dark and his love for the city and the landscape. 

 

"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".

— David Lee (art critic)

 

Society Member

Associate Member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (AROI)

Manchester Academy of Fine Art (MAFA)

 

Awards

Royal Institute of Oil Painters

Winner of the Frank Herring Easel Award 2017

BoldBrush Award 2017 Winner

Buxton Spa Prize 3rd Prize 2015

BoldBrush Award, Finalist 2014

Artist of the Year 2013 Highly Commended

Artist of the Year 2013 Finalist

International Artist Finalist

Brownedge art Festival Winner

West Lancashire Open Commendation

South Ribble winner and Peoples prize

Harris Museum Winner 2009

Show Me The Monet Finalist

 

Exhibitions 

Royal Institute of Oil Painters 2018

This Is Manchester solo Exhibition Contemporary Six 2018

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, 2018

Buxton Spa Prize 2015, 2016

Royal Institute of Oil Painters, London 2011, 2012, 2014

 

Howard De Walden Exhibition,

Thompsons Gallery, 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

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 Autumn Exhibition 2013

Biscuit Factory Art Gallery, Newcastle Autumn Exhibition 2013

Hepplestones Fine Art Gallery Major solo Exhibition 2012, 2013

Colourfield Gallery  Visions of Manchester Joint Exhibition 2012 Show me the Monet, Mall Galleries, London 2012

 

Michael has been elected as an associate member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, and is a member of the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts. He has exhibited in The Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Royal Society of British Artists, The Howard De Walden Exhibition and The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in London.