Peter Kelsey received his early training at the Chicago Academy for the Arts. He went on to study at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Palette and Chisel, and the School of Representational Art in Chicago. Peter became a graduate and teaching fellow at Studio Incamminati, the school founded by Nelson Shanks in Philadelphia dedicated to excellence in representational art.

Peter has had his work in numerous exhibitions including Principle Gallery, Alexandria, VA; Stanek Gallery, Philadelphia; S. R. Brennen Fine Art, Santa Fe; Laumeister Fine Art Competition, Bennington, VT; Freeman's Auctioneers and Appraisers, Philadelphia; Gratz Gallery, Doylestown, PA; The National Arts Club, New York; the Comcast Center, Philadelphia; The Union League of Philadelphia. His portrait of former Pennsylvania attorney general, Leroy Zimmerman, hangs in Dickinson College. In 2019, Peter held a solo exhibition at the Vanderpoel Museum. His work hangs in several private collections.

Peter lives with his wife and two sons in Evanston, IL.