Michael John Ashcroft ROI MAFA is a celebrated contemporary painter rooted in the great tradition of Lancashire painters. His evocative cityscapes and serene landscapes, rendered predominantly in oil, are grounded in a profound fascination with the interplay of light and shadow, a vision forged after a life-altering health event. Once a professional engineer, Ashcroft's life took an unexpected turn at age 28. Following a major operation for a brain tumour, a single, poignant moment—seeing his reflection with half his face in sunlight and the other in shade—was the catalyst for a renewed purpose, leading him to pursue painting with unwavering dedication. This authentic origin story is the foundation of his practice. His technical skill and artistic vision have since earned him a place among the most respected art institutions in the UK. A member of the elite Royal Institute of Oil Painters and the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts, Ashcroft’s work has been exhibited at the Royal Society of British Artists and the prestigious Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in London. He was also a finalist on the BBC Two art programme 'Show Me The Monet', where he was selected to exhibit at the Mall Galleries from a field of over three thousand artists. Acclaimed art critic David Lee, referencing this profound authenticity, hailed him as "a worthy heir of those in the great tradition of Lancashire painters." With a consistent record of sales on both the primary and secondary markets, Ashcroft’s paintings are in demand with collectors worldwide.