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Ashton is a pseudonym for Jill Vance.
Ashton is both a painter and poet.
In both cases Ashton was born by luck or circumstances, whichever you prefer.
About Ashton the painter
She started painting at a young age. Her father was a painter of note, who also painted under a pseudonym.
She loved horses and found that there was not enough time for both, so the painting stopped.
Living in Italy she was unable to continue her riding and while working as a translator painted watercolours for fun.
One day a gallery owner who sold and framed Lou's paintings, and had become a friend over the years, called in unexpectedly
for a cup of coffee. Seeing Jill's work she loved it, and asked to have some to sell in her shop. She also commissioned Jill
to paint 10 more paintings of Portobello, a local beauty spot. They sold so well the owner asked for more, and suggested Jill
paint in oil or acrylic. After trying oil, Jill found it too slow drying and settled on acrylic. She mostly painted local
Mediterranean scenes.
Recently finding herself back in Ireland, Jill started painting local Irish scenes, which are already having success.
The name was chosen because it had been the name of Jill's business while still living in Ireland, and like her Father
before her, she preferred an alias. Also, in the Italian alphabet there is no "J", so her own name became a problem.
Ashton was simple and easy.
Thus Ashton the painter was launched.
Ashton the poet
Jill had written a book of poetry, and was negotiating with an agent and publisher to publish her work, when she was offered
the chance write some poems for greeting cards. To keep the two different types of work separate, Ashton was again resurrected
to write the greeting card poems. Jill has won various awards for her poetry. She has also written poems for Lou's paintings.
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