Francis Kelly (1927-2012)




  

Francis Kelly's depiction of Hayes Barton, described as “a delightful countryside etching" by the Brook Gallery which sells his work. See http://www.brookgallery.co.uk/ for details.



Francis Kelly (1927-2012) is one of two important figures from the Arts world with strong connections to the Budleigh area who passed away last year.

Artist, author  and athlete, Francis Kelly, known as Bob, was born in Minnesota. He served with the U.S. Navy until 1948 when he entered the Art Centre School in Los Angeles, studying in Paris in 1951/52, and then the Universities of Hawaii and California. With a Fulbright grant,  he came in 1955 to the Central School in London where he decided to live. 

He had strong links with the Budleigh area, visiting whenever possible: our gentle countryside has greatly inspired much of his work. 



















Field Gate

 Exhibitions of his work have been held at 24 British galleries. He was called on by the Italian Art and Archives Fund to restore flood damaged art in Florence and has published two books, Art Restoration and The Studio and the Artist.  Kelly was known for his paintings of the female form as well as for his landscapes and seascapes





















 Double Image

 


















Tranquillity



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