Percy Kelly was born in Workington, Cumbria to a working class family. Kelly’s talents were apparent from the moment he picked up a pencil. With his family, he moved to the Lake District where his talents were quickly recognized and gained the attention of Sir Winston Churchill and Princess Margaret among many other patrons. Despite being in high demand from private collectors and galleries, it was not until Kelly was 48 years old that the artist participated in his first solo exhibition at the Rosehill Theatre at the invitation of his patron Sir Nicholas Sekers. His reputation was finally established when his work was brought back to his native Cumbria, where it was sold in five sell out exhibitions at the Castlegate House Gallery.