Part of the New Light Prize Exhibition

Michael J Ashcroft was born in 1969 in the small village of Croston, Lancashire. He became a professional artist in 2011 after suffering from numerous tumours throughout his life which were due to a rare generic condition.

Michael is now a proud member of the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts and has recently been elected Associate Member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters. He works mainly in oils, whether in the urban cities or the Landscape which surrounds him. Ashcroft's work has grown in popularity and his paintings have become highly sought after. Highlights of Michael's career include showing his work at the NEAC, ROI and RBA exhibitions at the Mall Galleries, The Royal Academy summer exhibition and solo exhibitions of his work.

The foundations that underpin his painting hasn't changed over the years and that is his fascination with light and dark and his love for the city and the landscape.