Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Adele Gilani. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Adele, thanks for joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I’m most proud of my years as a gallerist, owning and operating my own brick and mortar retail space. I learned a lot over those five years—navigating COVID, pivoting countless times, reopening my doors post-pandemic, and eventually closing them again as the business failed.
It was not easy! I commuted an hour there and an hour home each day. I worked with a coach and mentor group. I hosted parties for people I would never have the bandwidth to know. I taught people to paint, held pop-ups, participated in community events, missed my friend’s events, missed time with my family only to find that the one thing that stuck with me was my love of sharing art and its power to change people’s lives.
There’s a quote by Adyashanti, “Be an open space for whatever arises. Notice that you are the space in which everything arises. When everything is allowed to arise, you have the opportunity to perceive That which does not arise or subside. You Are That.” Covid certainly left me as nothing more than an open space- After I tried everything and failed, or it just didn’t stick, I found what I love, steady within myself, simply sharing my love of art with people.

Adele, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I started as a painter and ran my own art gallery, Adele Gilani Art Gallery, in Sausalito, CA, for five years until it closed in 2024. Now, I continue to paint, work as a graphic designer, and write a weekly newsletter, Adele Delivers, where I introduce new artists each week, fueled by the idea that great art leads to greatness in all of us.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Friends and family were the most supportive people for my art gallery and they are the most supportive now. I started my art gallery in the era of viral businesses so i felt this common pressure to overbrand, market and grow.

But looking back, I realize I could have relied on my friends and family to spread the word. When I asked, they delivered because they wanted me to succeed. I definitely built relationships along the way but it’s the personal relationships, not the marketing that makes the biggest impact.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I’m genuinely happy as a creative, though I did spend a lot of time in my 20s and early 30s in turmoil over my choice to pursue the arts. I moved from Kentucky to San Francisco in 2009, drawn by its vibrant art scene, only to find that it didn’t quite align with my style or resonate with the people I met. I’d paint, but also look for regular work, dreaming of becoming a bank clerk or working at Whole Foods for the security it offered. Despite my efforts, I couldn’t land a job.
My first gig as a graphic designer was a monumental relief, even though it was part-time, I had to learn the trade as I went, all while supplementing my income by bussing tables. Eventually, that role led to a growing freelance business, which I’m grateful for—it took the pressure off my creative work to be my sole source of income. What I’ve learned is that having financial stability outside of art is crucial. It’s important to get paid enough to live lean so you can create your best work. My day job has been the backbone of my artistic growth, and I’m grateful for the balance it provides.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://adeledelivers.com/subscribe
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adelegilani/