John Phillips Ashley

Chattanooga, Tennessee • 1944 – 2024

John Phillips “Phil” Ashley was an American painter and sculptor known for his versatility across mediums and styles. Trained as a designer and illustrator, his mastery of composition and form shaped a diverse body of work spanning wildlife realism, expressionism, and abstraction. He believed the subject often dictated the style, whether portraying the movement of wild mustangs or the vast emotion of his large-scale sky compositions.

Ashley earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida, after studying at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. His paintings, many of which are available as fine art giclée prints, reflect both his technical skill and his deep sensitivity to light and atmosphere.

As a sculptor, Ashley was recognized for his Metalscapes, dyed and polished metal works that explored color, reflection, and texture through smooth minimalism and free-formed repoussé. His paintings and sculptures are represented in numerous private and corporate collections, admired for their craftsmanship, innovation, and enduring sense of harmony.