John Ashton – Wildlife Artist

Born in Somerset, John grew up in Brockley Coombe, Somerset, England and was educated at Nailsea Grammar School. On leaving school his first job was as a taxidermist, after that he mainly worked as a lighting roadie for some of the world’s major bands.

He gave up his nomadic life in 1985 after Live Aid and took up a post as a graphic artist in South Devon. Since then he has worked on many and varied commissions including murals, sign writing and pub signs working in many different mediums. In 2006 he decided to concentrate on oil painting, and has had many successful exhibitions.

John is passionate about birds and he now lives and works in the perfect location, the small South Hams village of Aveton Gifford on the beautiful Avon Estuary, which he visits daily come rain or shine.

John’s work has been short listed for the David Shepherd Foundation Wildlife Artist of the Year Award in 2010 and 2011 exhibited in the Mall Galleries, London. He also had pictures at the National Exhibition of Wildlife Art in the Wirral, the Marwell International Wildlife Exhibition in Hampshire and numerous local exhibitions.

Last year John joined a select group of artists running Gallery 5 in Island Street, Salcombe www.gallery5.org where you can see many examples of their work. In October this year his work can also be seen at Harbour House, Kingsbridge with other elite group of artists in an exhibition called ‘Out of the Blue’. He is also a member of SHAF [South Hams Art Forum] www.shaf.org.uk and will be exhibiting in ‘South Hams 2011 Arts Trail’.

On his web site www.artashton.co.uk you will find original oil paintings for sale, together with limited edition giclée prints, greeting cards and postcards. Please browse and contact him if you would like any further information or want to place an order.

John also teaches oil painting to art groups around south Devon and in his spare time he paints scenery for local dramatic societies.

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