Having grown up in a family of artists, Ben began drawing and painting as a child.  In high school, Ben was introduced to sculpture by a teacher who recognized his talents so much so he was given his own studio to work in.  After high school, Ben attended the Rocky Mountain College of Art & 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 C.U., 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.  It was at this time Ben began his intensive study of art with his father, Ramon Kelley.

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.  His foresight and introspection has paid off.  Like his father, Ben is a  allaprima  painter, and the mediums and materials Ben 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.

GALLERIES

       Gore Creek Gallery, Vail, CO.                               Huntsman Gallery, Aspen, CO.

Sunset Art Gallery Amarillo, TX                              Howell Gallery Oklahoma City, OK     

Saks Gallery Denver, CO.                                     Nichols Gallery, Taos NM. 

INVITATIONAL SHOWS

Alabama Pastel Society, 2003

Allied Artists of America, NYC 2003

A. Bend Gallery, Denver, CO 1999-2000.  

American Artists' Professional League (Salmagundi Club), NYC, 2002     

Art Alliance for Colorado Youth Auction, 1998-2000.

Belleli Gallery, Father, Son & Son Show, Denver, CO  2000.

Cheyenne Artists'Guild, Cheyenne, WY, 2002

Colorado Dominican Vocation Foundation, Denver, CO  1999, 2001.

Colorado Showcase, 2000.                             

Museo de Las Americas, Denver, CO  1995 - 1999, 2002.

Pastel Society of America, NYC, 2002

Ryman-Carroll Foundation (Disney Studios) Los Angeles, CA 2000.

Saks Gallery, Denver, CO  1996 - 1997.

PUBLICATIONS:

The Denver Post, "Family of Artists" April 14, 2000.

"Like Father, Like Sons," The Artist's Magazine January 2002.

"Continuing Tradition," Art-Talk Magazine, 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