Robert John Kelly was born in a small town in Lancashire, England in 1935. Robert became interested in art whilst still at school, and later joined local art groups including the prestigious Pendle Artists from where his works were in travelling exhibitions. He held a number of his own exhibitions around Lancashire and submitted works to the Pastel Society England at the London Mall Galleries.

Robert emigrated to Western Australia in 1983, settling in the northern suburb of Greenwood. In this same year, the Pastel Society of W.A., Inc. was formed, of which he later became president. He was also president of the Wanneroo Art Society for a number of years, and served a term on the Wanneroo Arts Council as Chairman for Visual Arts.

Robert John Kelly passed away in 2010, and is survived by his wife Vivienne and two sons, Adrian and Richard.