Wintersea

1949-

Robert Kelsey was born in Glasgow in 1949 and was lucky enough to attend the Glasgow School of Art at one of its high points. He studied under the impressive team of David Donaldson, John Cunningham, Alexander Goudie, Jimmy Robertson and Duncan Shanks. 30 years on, his work still reflects the powerful influence of this towering group of artists.

After graduating, Robert embarked on a career in Art Education. As a teacher in a sympathetic school environment he was encouraged to concentrate on his own projects alongside classroom work. By the time he was appointed Principal Teacher in the ’80s he had established his own studio so was able to continue to paint there.

In 1995 he decided to leave teaching and persure a full-time career as an artist, and he has never looked back since. He has travelled all over the UK, Europe and the Caribbean in search of inspiration and has enjoyed a number of succesful exhibitions in Britian, Europe and the United States. In 1998 he was awarded a diploma from The Paisly Art Institute.

Despite being an enthusiastic traveller, Robert has always loved going home to Scotland and is constantly overwhelmed by the beauty of its coastline. His distinctive oils on canvas convey the vast flat beaches, sparkling emerald water and majestic skies in a glowing array of blues, golds and greens.

Kelsey also paints still lives and certain continental city locations, but his lanscapes still dominate his work. Whether they are portraying a bold Scottish coast, a sunny Suffolk field or an idyllic Caribbean beach, they manage to captivate the feel of the naturel habitat.