Today we’d like to introduce you to Ilene Adams.
Hi Ilene, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
‘ve always considered myself both an artist and a problem solver. I earned a BFA from Tyler School of Art, including a year studying in Rome, but early in my career I discovered I also loved the creative challenge of marketing. I founded what became the country’s first all-female radio marketing company and spent more than two decades helping businesses build their brands and tell their stories.
When I moved to Florida, I made the decision to return to my own creative work full-time. That transition allowed me to combine everything I’d learned—from design and marketing to printmaking, photography, and painting — into a mixed-media practice that continues to evolve. Today my work explores the connections between people, animals, and nature through layers of texture, image transfer, fiber, and paint.
At the same time, I’ve become deeply involved in supporting the arts community. I serve on the board of Artists of Palm Beach County, mentor artists in marketing and professional development, curate exhibitions, and help create opportunities for other artists to thrive. Looking back, what once felt like two separate careers have really become one. Whether I’m creating artwork or helping others share theirs, I’ve always been passionate about creativity, communication, and building connections.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like many artists, my path hasn’t been a straight line. After more than 20 years building a nationally recognized marketing company, shifting my focus toward art was both exciting and challenging. Although I continue to create websites and maintain my marketing and web design business, I now devote much more of my time and energy to my art. Relocating to a new state also meant rebuilding my professional network, establishing myself within the arts community, and proving myself all over again.
Even today, balancing everything is an ongoing challenge. I continue to run my marketing and web design business while maintaining an active studio practice, serving in leadership roles within the arts community, and happily spending time babysitting my grandchildren. Finding enough uninterrupted studio time can be difficult, but I’ve learned to embrace the different parts of my life rather than see them as competing priorities. Each role informs the others in unexpected ways.
I’ve also learned that being an artist today means wearing many hats. You’re not only creating work, but you also have to market yourself, apply for exhibitions, build relationships, and run a business. It can be overwhelming, especially when you’d rather be in the studio.
I’ve experienced rejection, too. Not every exhibition application is accepted, not every idea works, and not every opportunity turns into something bigger. Early on, those disappointments were hard to take personally. Over time, I’ve learned to see them as part of the process. Every rejection pushes me to refine my work, try something new, and keep moving forward.
Perhaps the biggest lesson has been realizing that success isn’t a destination. It’s continuing to grow, staying curious, and finding ways to give back. Helping other artists navigate their own journeys has become just as meaningful to me as creating my own work.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a mixed media artist, designer, and marketing professional, but at my core I’m a storyteller. My work combines painting, printmaking, photography, image transfer, fiber, Venetian plaster, gold leaf, and found materials to create layered pieces that explore connection, memory, identity, and our relationship to the natural world. Whether I’m creating abstract paintings or my bird and botanical series, I’m interested in the idea that every living thing is unique yet part of something much larger.
I think what sets me apart is that my background spans both the creative and business worlds. Having spent decades building brands and telling stories through marketing, I approach my artwork with the same attention to concept, composition, and communication. I also love experimenting with materials and techniques, so every series becomes an opportunity to learn something new and push my work in a different direction.
I’m equally passionate about helping other artists succeed. Through my work with Artists of Palm Beach County, I mentor artists on marketing and professional development, curate exhibitions, and create programs that connect artists with collectors and the community. I believe that when artists support one another, everyone benefits.
What I’m most proud of isn’t a single painting or exhibition—it’s the life I’ve built around creativity. I’ve been fortunate to have successful careers in both business and the arts, and today I get to create meaningful work while helping other artists grow. Knowing that I’ve contributed to a stronger, more connected arts community is every bit as rewarding as seeing my own work on a gallery wall.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I’ve certainly had my share of good luck, but I’ve learned that luck usually shows up when you’re willing to take risks, work hard, and say yes to opportunities. Looking back, some of the biggest turning points in my life came from being open to change—whether it was starting a marketing company when few women owned businesses, moving to Florida and reinventing myself as a full-time artist, or saying yes to leadership roles that helped me build relationships within the arts community.
I’ve also had what seemed like bad luck at the time. I’ve faced rejected exhibition applications, projects that didn’t go as planned, and periods when balancing my business, my art, family, and community commitments felt overwhelming. But almost every disappointment ended up leading me somewhere better. A rejection pushed me to create stronger work. A closed door led to a new opportunity I hadn’t considered.
I don’t think success comes from luck alone. I believe it’s about showing up consistently, continuing to learn, and being willing to pivot when life takes an unexpected turn. If I’ve been lucky, it’s because I’ve been surrounded by generous mentors, supportive friends and family, and an incredible arts community. I’m grateful for those people, and I try to pay that forward by helping other artists find opportunities and believe in themselves.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ileneadams.com, https://www.themarketingworkspalmbeach.com/
- Instagram: @ilenegruberadamsstudio
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ileneadams/
