Introducing artist Michael John Ashcroft

The North West of England has contributed many Great British artists throughout the twentieth century and into the twenty first century. From artists such as LS Lowry and Theodore Major, to contemporary artists such as Liam Spencer, the art world has benefited greatly from the contribution of North West artists.

As a North West gallery, we are delighted to now be associated with an artist with the potential to join this great history, an artist whose reputation and collectability is growing rapidly which will hopefully lead him to take his place amonst these great painters.

Drinkhouse - Croston

Born in 1969, Michael Ashcroft spent his formative years living in the picturesque Lancashire village of Croston, a village that still supplies subject matter for many of his paintings.

His passion for art stems from a feeling of wanting to capture light and dark in its purest form, transferring this to board using palette knife and brush.

Heading Home by Michael Ashcroft

Michael's remarkable story was featured recently in Lancashire Life magazine, an excerpt of which is detailed below:

MICHAEL Ashcroft is an inspirational man. Many would struggle to handle the shock of being diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of 28. In his case, it led to him to rediscover a passion for painting.

Ten years down the line, his talent is burning bright. Sadly, so is his illness - a recent diagnosis revealed another tumour - but he won't let that keep him away from his easel. While Michael admits that he uses his art as therapy he is now recognised as a real Lancashire talent, selling his work and winning awards. 'Painting is my passion,' says Michael from his home in Leyland.
'Without that and, of course, my wife Debbie's support I don't think I'd have got through the last ten years. 'Some people get very down. Don't get me wrong I've been depressed at times, but painting has given me something else to focus on and I've met some fantastic people and friends along the way.'

Canal Street Manchester

In fact Michael's tumour helped him look at life in a different way. Until then he and his wife had been putting off having children but within a year daughter Jessica, now nine, was born followed by Jamie two years later.

Growing up in the picturesque village of Croston, Michael was surrounded by artists from an early age and was encouraged to paint by his mother, a watercolourist.

'When I left school I was thinking about going to art college but my dad said I had to get a trade and so I got an engineering apprenticeship, 'he says. 'I did it for years and hated it with a passion.'

Things were to change when his illness was first diagnosed. 'It wasn't cancerous but I had to go to Manchester Royal for a 12 hour operation to remove it,' he says. Thankfully they managed to get it all out but the operation left the left side of his face paralysed.' Michael has recovered well but he has speech and hearing difficulties. He was off work for 12 months and that is when he rediscovered his love of art. 'The poignant moment for me was in hospital after the operation. I remember looking at my reflection in the window. One side of my face was lit by the light the other was in the dark. It was as if the light side was the healthy side, the dark side the ill side and I remember thinking that was just how I'd been feeling.'

That light and dark revelation is probably the thing that defines Michael's style. As an artist he describes it as 'realist in an impressionistic' way, but the defining characteristic is the interaction between dark and light whether it's a view of Preston at night or countryside bathed in sunlight.

'It's not so much about the subject,' he explains, 'but the shapes, the colour and the light. As an artist, the one thing I'd hate is for them to be described as twee.'

Flying South by Michael Ashcroft

The challenges that Michael has faced throughout his life have clearly influenced his paintings, all of which portray a genuine passion for painting and an appreciative vision of the landscape and world around us. As a gallery, we are delighted to be able to offer the original paintings of Michael Ashcroft and are certain that the number of admirers of his work will continue to increase as word of his talent spreads.

For details of current available paintings, please visit www.hepplestonefineart.com or contact the gallery on 01257 451121.