Born in 1951 in Dehradun, Ashish Baran Misra’s early childhood was spent at his maternal grandmother’s place in the then small town of Lakhimpur Kehri. His formative years were spent living a feudal sort of a lifestyle observing his Grandmother, who would make religious murals and motifs with natural materials. His father was a teacher in DAV college, Dehradun, his mother also a teacher at Welhams school and PG College, Mussoorie. Though he came from a family of teachers, he was not as interested in studying as he was in following his more artistic and creative pursuits. As a young boy he participated and was appreciated in various small exhibitions and competitions organised by local Dehradun clubs, like the Rotary and Lion’s club. After finishing his MA from DAV college, he spent two years under the guidance of Mr. Dwigen Sen of Kala kendra. He was influenced by Mr. A B Verma, Professor Ranvir Saxena, and Dr. Sarla Raman, who would inform him about european painting tradition. In 1974 he began his four decade long teaching career in Wynberg Allen school, Mussoorie, which he realised was the ideal place for him. He discovered his real potential as an artist teaching and learning from his students. He helped them reach their artistic expression by encouraging them to paint out of both their roots and their interests. He was appreciated for the endeavours he undertook in the school, like establishment of the Museum, amongst many other things. Though he retired in 2013, his heart is still there and he values the time spent with young students, which is a source of great joy, happiness and satisfaction to him. He learnt his art from many different sources, from simple everyday folk, to the work of other artists. He painted only for the sheer joy of painting and never held any major exhibitions. He lives in Dehradun with his wife, Mrs. Usha Misra. He collects objects of aesthetic value and is deeply fond of music, especially hymns. He has done several book illustrations and some magazine covers for Uttar Pradesh government for the information department. He exhibits his work every year at Kala Kendra, Dehradun with other old and new students. Though he never sold his work, some of his work is in private collections in Australia, New Zealand, England, USA, and India(Kerala, Pune). Lately he has been writing stories for his grandson, Kavir, who is also a source of joy and inspiration to him.