John Ashton

Born in Somerset, John grew up in Brockley Coombe and was educated at Nailsea Grammar School. On leaving school his first job was as a taxidermist, after that then 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 as an artist, taking 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.
In 2010 John was short listed for the David Shepherd Foundation Wildlife Artist of the Year Award and had two works exhibited in the Mall Galleries. He also had pictures at the National Exhibition of Wildlife Art in the Wirral, and the Marwell International Wildlife Exhibition in Hampshire. Future exhibitions are planned including the Affordable Art Exhibition 2010 and at Harbour House, Kingsbridge in 2011 plus many more.
John is passionate about birds and he now lives and works in the perfect location in the small South Hams village of Aveton Gifford on the beautiful Avon Estuary, which he visits daily come rain or shine to study them in their environment. For him this is heaven.
The birds, water and light of the Avon Estuary are John’s favourite subjects to which he returns regularly. However, he is also inspired by the countryside, country life and all animals and has painted other subjects including hounds, harriers, dogs and horses.
In his spare time he paints scenery for local dramatic societies such as the Modbury Players, Salcombe Players, the Taverners in his own village, and has also done the odd back drop for bands playing locally.