Michele Ashby SGFA

Biography 

Having graduated with a BA (Hons) Degree in Graphic Design Michele forged a successful career running her own business in the same subject for many years. She made the leap to follow her dream of becoming a professional artist 6 years ago and hasn’t looked back.

She is a Master Pastellist and Signature Member with the Pastel Society of America, has achieved Master Circle status with the International Association of Pastel Societies, an Associate Member of the Society of Women Artists, a Member of the Institute of East Anglian Artists and a Unison Colour Pastels Associate Artist.

She has exhibited in juried and curated exhibitions with The Pastel Society of America, IAPS (International Association of Pastel Societies), Richeson75, USA; The Pastel Society, The Royal Society of Marine Artists, The Society of Women Artists and The Society of Graphic Fine Art, TALP (The Artist & Leisure Painter) People’s Choice Award 2021, UK.

Her work is published in The Artist Magazine, The Leisure Painter Magazine, Pastel Journal, The Richeson75 International Figure/Portrait, Richeson75 International Landscape, Seascape & Architecture, Portraits for NHS Heroes, Artists & Illustrators Magazine, Living in Suffolk, How to Pastel, Pratique des Arts, Guild of Europe Scribbler, Essex Life and the Pastel Artists of New Zealand International Artist magazine.

Working from her studio in Suffolk Michele’s style is contemporary realism with a passion for detail and capturing light. Portraiture is her first love and the many emotions inhabiting the human heart, she tries to capture a sense of her muse’s character as well as a good likeness whilst simultaneously portraying a strong narrative.