Untitled – "Ceylon"

From the Adelaide Advertiser of Tuesday 15 March 1910 ‘Mr James Ashton, the well-known South Australian artist, has on view at his studio in Grenfell-street a fine collection of paintings depicting scenes in Ceylon. Mr. Ashton paid a visit to the island recently, partly for pleasure and partly to recruit his health, and the works of art he has brought back with him represent the fruits of two months with the brush and palette. &quotI simply could not help myself,&quot he said.’ [sic] Born on the Isle of Man and apprenticed to a pharmacist, he studied art at the South Kensington School of Art, London and at Paris. Ashton emigrated to Adelaide, arriving in 1884 deciding to become a professional artist. He established the Norwood art school in 1886. He was elected a member of the Royal Society of Arts in 1894. Returning to Adelaide in 1895 he founded the Academy of Arts and for over 30 years was the best known teacher of painting in South Australia. He is represented in a number of institutional collections.