Michael John Ashcroft ROI MAFA
Michael John Ashcroft ROI MAFA is a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and Manchester Academy of Fine Arts, he has exhibited in The Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Royal Society of British Artists, The New English Art Club, The New Light, The Howard De Walden Exhibition and The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in London.
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 Art.
Michael's 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.
Society Member
Royal Institute of Oil Painters
Manchester Academy of Fine Art
Awards
Winner Alan Gourley Memorial Award 2020
Shortlisted New Light Exhibition 2020
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
Royal Institute of Oil Painters 2020
New Light 2020
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