Benjamin Kelley attended the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design.  This was where he discovered his love for figure drawing and painting.  After completion of these courses, Ben began traditional college studies in English and Economics at the University of Colorado, Boulder.  While at CU, he continued his art and art studies.  Although he received his degree in English, his true intentions and motivations were to follow art as a profession. Ben had enough reverence for his father and the art world at large to first develop his own style, approach and eye for art before studying with his father.  It was at this time Ben began his intensive study of art with his father, Ramon Kelley.

His foresight and introspection paid off.  Like his father, Ben is an allaprima painter, and the mediums and materials he uses are as varied as his subject matter.  Ben believes it’s far more intriguing to paint striking images as opposed to pretty images.  Oil, pastel, watercolor and sculpture are the mediums Ben is most recognized for. 

Invitational Shows:
ABend Gallery, Denver, 1999 - 2000.
Alabama Pastel Society, 2003.
Allied Artists of America, NYC, 2003.
American Artists’ Professional League (Salmagundi Club), NYC, 2002.
Art Alliance for Colorado Youth Auction, 1998 - 2000.
Artists of Colorado, 2nd Place Winner, Botanical Gardens, Denver, 2004.
Belleli Gallery, “Father, Son and Son” Show, Denver, 2000.
Cheyenne Artists’ Guild, Cheyenne, WY, 2002.
Colorado Dominican Foundation, 1999, 2001, 2006, 2007. 2009
Colorado Showcase, 2000.
Hearts of Children Foundation, Denver, 2008.
Munger-Chadwick Foundation, Scottsdale, AZ, 2006-2008
Museo de Las Americas, Denver, 1995 – 1999, 2002.
National Western Art Foundation, 2007.
Pastel Society of America, NYC, 2002.
Pastel Society of New Mexico, 2002, 2003.
Ryman-Carroll Foundation (Disney Studios), Los Angeles, 2000.
Starlight Foundation, Denver, 2007-2008.
Saks Gallery, Denver, 1996 - 1997.

Publications:
The Denver Post, “Family of Artists”  April 14, 2000.
The Artist Magazine, “Like Father, Like Sons” Article, January 2002.
Art-Talk Magazine, “Continuing Tradition” Feature Story, March 2003.

Awards:
Allied Artists of America – Grumbacher Gold Medal, 2003.
Cheyenne Artists’ Guild – First Place, Oil & Acrylic Category, 2002.
Cheyenne Artists’ Guild – Nagel Warren Merchant Award, 2002.
Pastel Society of New Mexico – Sennelier Award, 2003.
Pastel Society of New Mexico – Dick Blick Art Award, 2002.