For over three decades, Robert Kelsey has been an esteemed and valued member of the Thompson’s Gallery roster. His paintings celebrate the beauty of the natural world, from the remote beaches of Scotland’s west coast to the sun drenched shores of the Mediterranean, capturing the distinctive colours and atmosphere of each place.
His forthcoming exhibition, A Life in Light and Colour, brings together the landscapes and seascapes that have inspired him throughout his career, offering a glimpse into the places, memories and experiences behind his paintings.
Born in Glasgow in 1949, Robert studied at Glasgow School of Art from 1966 to 1970 before embarking on a career in art education. In 1997, he stepped away from teaching to concentrate on painting full time.
Robert first exhibited with Thompson’s Gallery in 1993, followed by his first London solo exhibition with the gallery in 1994. This exhibition marks an important milestone: 33 years of exhibiting with Thompson’s Gallery.
His contribution to the Scottish art world extends beyond his own practice. He served as President of Glasgow Art Club from 2012 to 2015, received an honorary degree from the University of the West of Scotland in 2010, and was awarded a Diploma by Paisley Art Institute in 1998. He is currently Vice President of the Institute.
A lifelong love of the coast
“I’ve painted beaches and seascapes most of my life, but gradually they have become more welcoming, warm and sunny,” Robert explains.
He paints in tropical and Mediterranean locations as well as closer to home, drawn to quiet, deserted beaches, crystal clear turquoise water and stretches of soft sand. For Robert, the appeal lies in the atmosphere of a place and the particular quality of its colours.
Remote landscapes have always held a special attraction, especially the islands and rugged coastlines of western Scotland. These places are more than subjects for his paintings; they are woven into his own family history.
The Hebrides: A connection through generations
“The Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland are in my blood.”
Robert’s connection to the islands goes back to his paternal grandparents, who moved from the industrial North East of England to the tiny island of Barra in 1900, becoming teachers on the island’s west coast. His father was born there in 1906, although the family moved to mainland Scotland shortly afterwards.
His father often spoke of Barra but never returned to the place of his birth. Robert, however, has made the journey many times.
He prefers the short flight from Glasgow to the five hour ferry journey from Oban, not least for the unforgettable experience of landing on Barra’s famous Cockle Strand beach.
“When you leave the plane, you literally step onto the cockle strand, and you are there.”
It is a remarkable introduction to an island where the landscape feels wonderfully untouched. The expansive beaches, clear water and sense of remoteness make Barra an enduring source of inspiration.
Iona: Following in the footsteps of the Scottish Colourists
Another island that holds a special place in Robert’s imagination is Iona, off the larger island of Mull in the Inner Hebrides.
Robert has long admired Samuel Peploe and Francis Cadell, two leading members of the Scottish Colourists. Both artists fell in love with Iona in 1912, captivated by its distinctive landscape and vivid colours.
The island is also of great historical significance: St Columba founded an abbey there in AD 563, establishing Iona as one of the most important early centres of Christianity in Scotland.
Robert has returned to Iona many times, drawn by the contrast between its brilliant white sands and the rich colours of the surrounding sea.
“I have visited Iona many times and love the rich blue and turquoise of the sea as it flows over the pure white sands. I can’t help imagining Peploe and Cadell setting up their easels on that very beach and gazing over to the hills of Mull.”
For Robert, the island offers both a remarkable subject and a connection to the artists whose work he admires. It is easy to imagine how its vivid colours and expansive views find their way into his own paintings.
Ardnamurchan: The beauty of remote Scotland
Further along the western coastline lies Ardnamurchan, a rugged peninsula in the western Highlands, home to the most westerly point of the British mainland.
Reaching places such as Kilchoan Bay means navigating narrow, single-track roads, but the journey is rewarded with dramatic scenery and a wonderful sense of isolation.
These are landscapes that appeal to Robert’s love of the quieter, less travelled corners of the world, where the coastline and open skies become the focus.
Mediterranean inspiration: The Amalfi Coast
While Scotland remains close to Robert’s heart, his inspiration extends far beyond its shores. Several paintings featuerd in A Life in Light and Colour have their roots in a visit to Italy’s spectacular Amalfi Coast.
In Sorrento, the atmosphere is lively and bustling. Perched high above the sea, the town overlooks a busy harbour where ferries and cruise ships come and go.
Ravello, set in the hills above Amalfi, offers a more tranquil experience. Small cafés and shops gather around the cathedral square, shaded by tall umbrella pines. It is a place to slow down and enjoy a different rhythm of life.
Capri: A view from above
Robert’s visit to Capri made a particularly strong impression.
“Accessed by sea from Sorrento, the Isle of Capri is majestic and slightly intimidating, with its huge cliffs climbing up from the beach and harbour.”
From there, he travelled by local bus to Anacapri, a quieter village higher on the island, before taking the chairlift to Monte Solaro, Capri’s highest point.
“The views from here are incredible over the Bay of Naples towards Vesuvius.”
The dramatic cliffs, vivid blue sea and sweeping views offer a striking contrast to the more rugged landscapes of Scotland, yet both share the qualities that continue to draw Robert to the coast.
Light and Colour: A continuing journey
From the wild beaches of the Hebrides to the warmth of the Mediterranean, Robert Kelsey’s paintings reflect a lifelong fascination with the natural world. His work captures not only the appearance of a place but also the feeling of being there: the openness of a deserted beach, the colour of the sea and the sense of escape offered by a distant coastline.
As we celebrate 33 years of Robert exhibiting with Thompson’s Gallery, A Life in Light and Colour is an opportunity to explore the landscapes that have shaped his artistic journey and discover the personal stories behind the paintings.
Robert Kelsey DA MUniv PAI FRSA: A Life in Light and Colour
11th - 27th November 2026
Thompson’s Gallery London
