Robert Kelsey

Robert studied at Glasgow School of Art from 1966 till 1970 being awarded a DA.

His tutors included many senior Scottish painters such as James D Robertson, Alexander Goudie and David Donaldson who was Head of Drawing and Painting at that time. These artists, especially Sandy Goudie, had a big influence on his painting style. On graduating, Robert followed a career in teaching, being promoted to Head of Art and Design at Renfrew High School in 1983.

Fortunately, Robert had continued to paint since leaving Art School and was a regular exhibitor at all the Annual Scottish Exhibitions such as The Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts, Paisley Art Institute, the RSA and RSW, building up a following of collectors.

In 1996 Interest in his work by major English galleries prompted Robert to stand down from his teaching career and paint full time. This has been a great success and he has had 22 major solo exhibitions with Thompson’s Gallery in London since 1994.

Other major galleries that he shows with regularly include
The Walker Gallery in Harrogate
The Red Rag Gallery in Stow on the Wold
The Lemond Gallery in Glasgow
Collectors include
The Fleming Collection, Paisley Art Gallery, Scottish Friendly Insurance, Taylor Woodrow,
The Duke of Bedford, Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden, Lord Smith of Kelvin, Sir Arnold Clark.

Robert joined the Glasgow Art Club in 1987 and has served on Council as both Gallery Convenor and more recently as President from 2012 till 2015
He was awarded a Diploma from Paisley Art Institute in 1998 (PAI)
He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 2009 FRSA)
He received an Honorary Degree from the University of the West of Scotland in 2010 (MUniv)