Mel Ashcroft – North Norfolk

Mel paints in watercolour and acrylic, creating whimsical cat illustrations, colourful beach characters and much more.

About Mel

I graduated my Fine Art degree specialising in 3D design from Cardiff Institute of Fine Art in the late ‘90s, but art took a back seat whilst I spent 20 years working in the retail sector.

I moved to Sheringham, Norfolk at the end of 2015 and have spent time building up my portfolio of works and establishing myself as an Artist and Illustrator in and around the local area, exhibiting my work in a number of local venues.

I particularly enjoy creating colourful characters that are inspired by the beach at Sheringham or inking whimsical cat watercolours based on my own experiences with my six cats. My newest collection is more abstract depicting ‘alphabetical’ sporting activities. The main aim of my art is to simply ‘Make the viewer smile’.

I have completed a number of murals in town both as part of the town’s regeneration program and as private commissions and I love being out there, talking to passers-by as I paint, something I am missing during this Corona lockdown.

This will be the third year I am taking part in the Norfolk Open Studios scheme and it has been great for promoting me and my art, but also for networking.