Artworks by Michael J 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 tumour 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 on a weekly basis.
His paintings have evolved over the years from early abstract acrylics to using oils and more representational works. 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.
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 said:
'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 being accepted into the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts and gaining entry into the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Royal Society of British Artists and the Howard De Walden Exhibitions in London. His work also gained him a place at the Mall Galleries were 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 studied and works in Lancashire and is represented by galleries in England and Scotland.
Awards,
Awarded the ROI 2020
Alan Gourley Memorial award for Excellence 2020
Royal Institute of Oil Painters 2020
New English Art Club 2020
New Light Shortlisted 2020
AROI Membership 2019
Frank Herring Easel Award 2017
BoldBrush Award Winner 2017
Buxton Spa Prize open 3rd Place 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
Howard De Walden Exhibition, London 2012
Show me the Monet Finalist, Mall Galleries, London 2012
Elected Member Manchester Academy of Fine Art 2011
Selected for Exhibition Royal Institute of Oil Painters, London 2011
New Longton Summner 2009
Magazine Articles and Television Features,
Manchester Evening News 2021 'Painter's Tale of Two Great Cities' by Neal Kealing
Buxton Advertiser 2015
Interview RA Exhibition Manchester TV 2015
Preston and Fylde 2015
Manchester Life Magazine feature 2014
Preston and Fylde Live 2013
The Artist Magazine issue Summer 2012
Manchester Evening News 2012
Art Observer 2012 (Michael J Ashcroft & The Silver Lining)
BBC Newsonline
Radio Times
The telegraph
Show me the Monet BBC
International Artist Magazine
Lancashire Life Magazine
Big Interview Newspaper (Preston)
BBC Radio Lancashire (Interview)
Exhibitions,
Contemporary Six Solo Exhibition 'From Manchester to New York'
Royal Society of British Oldham Art Gallery MAFA 2019
Whitaker Art Gallery Southport MAFA 2019
Royal Institute of Oil Painters 2017, 2018, 2019
Contemporary Six Gallery 2017
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition
New Light Panter And Hall, London 2016
New Light Mercer Gallery, Harrogate 2016
New English Art club Exhibition 2016
New Light Exhibition Bowes Museum 2015
After Dark, Gusto, Manchester 2015
Manchester Academy of Fine Arts Cathedral Exhibition 2015
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2015
Albert's Chop House Exhibition of works 2015
Thompson's Gallery, Marylebone & Aldeburgh Exhibitions 2014
Biscuit Factory Winter Exhibition, Newcastle 2014
Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual Exhibition 2014
Reflections of Manchester Solo Exhibition 2014, Colourfield Gallery & Rosso 2014
Lancashire Artists Exhibition, Hepplestones 2014
Royal Society of British Artists 2014
Thompson's Contemporary, London January Exhibition 2014
Royal Institute of Oil Painters 2011, 2012, 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 2013
MAFA Spring Exhibition 2013
Hepplestones Fine Art Gallery Major solo Exhibition 2012
Colourfield Gallery Visions of Manchester Joint Exhibition 2012
Howard De Walden Exhibition, Thompsons Gallery, London 2012
Show me the Monet, Mall Galleries, London 2012
Royal Society of Oil Painters London 2011
