A view like no other, Michael John Ashcroft’s Summer Nights, Quayside, York is a sublime and nuanced ode to the city of York. Here, more so than any other painting, Michael reveals himself to be a true draftsman, crafting the scene with pitch perfect observation, yet imbuing every brushstroke with the authenticity and spontaneity synonymous with an accomplished plein air painter. As the warmth of the summer sun fades and the border between light and shadow becomes ever more intangible, the rich hues of evening begin to seep into the city.