Artist Steve Adams brings color and history to Spencer’s canvas

Whether walking through the doors of Spencer Elementary School (SES) or taking a leisurely stroll past the shopfronts of downtown Spencer, residents across Owen County have undoubtedly encountered the vibrant, detailed brushwork of artist Steve Adams.

A longtime Spencer resident who recently completed his latest mural at SES, Adams has spent countless hours turning blank brick, plaster, and glass into cherished public landmarks. His journey spans commercial success as a long-time book illustrator, a deep passion for historical preservation, and a familiar presence along local backroads on his daily bicycle rides.

Reflecting on how he originally landed in Spencer, Adams recalled a period of transition after returning to the States from living abroad in Belize.

“I grew up on the northwest side of Indianapolis, near Eagle Creek Park,” Adams said. “I went to college in Bloomington and wanted to live down this way. When we came back from Belize, I didn’t have a job, and we just needed a place that I could buy for cash. We found this house, liked it enough, and could afford it. So, we ended up here.”

His affinity for drawing began long before setting up roots on the south side of the town of Spencer. Like many artists, the drive to sketch emerged early in his childhood.

“I’ve always liked to draw,” Adams said. “It’s mostly what I did in school when I was supposed to be paying attention to the teachers.”

That childhood inclination was fostered by a creative household and inspiring educators.

“Everybody in my family does some kind of artwork as a hobby,” he noted. “And I had some great teachers in junior high and high school.”

That foundation led Adams to Indiana University in Bloomington, where he majored in art, ultimately turning his lifelong passion into a nearly two-decade career in commercial publishing.

“I was a book illustrator for 18 years at AuthorHouse,” Adams said. “All kinds of children’s books, book covers, all original artwork. I wouldn’t even guess how many books I’ve been a part of through the years.”

It didn’t take long for Adams’ illustration work to expand onto larger community canvases around Owen County, starting with SES.

“The first one at Spencer Elementary was about 20 years ago,” Adams recalled. “That was the big mural in the cafeteria showing the courthouse dome and different scenes around town. I’ve talked to adults now who remember watching me paint that when they were kids.”

Working in high-visibility environments naturally draws curious onlookers, a dynamic Adams warmly embraces, especially when young kids stop to watch him create.

“Some people get really nervous about painting in public, but I’m fine with it,” he said. “I just try to be friendly and interact a little bit with the kids. Maybe it gets them interested in art outside of the normal workaday world.”

Those spontaneous interactions often leave lasting impressions across generations.

“When I’m outside painting storefront windows around the [courthouse] square, I like to give a kid the brush and let them paint a little bit,” Adams shared. “It lets them feel like they’re a part of it.”

Creating public art requires a balance of audience consideration and precise preparation.

“If I’m creating something for the school, I work up the design, submit it, and let administrators go through the process of letting me know what changes they want, keeping it lighthearted and kid-friendly,” Adams explained. “If I’m doing window art around the square, a lot of times I’ll look at ideas online, and for Christmas especially, I like to look at vintage holiday cards for inspiration.”

Translating a hand-drawn sketch onto a massive wall requires patience and geometry, a stage Adams considers the most labor-intensive part of the job.

“The most time-consuming part is making the grid and transferring the design on there to get it all right,” he said. “I draw the grid on the wall and use that as a guide.”

When asked about the total time investment required for a large mural, Adams smiled.

“I’m really terrible with tracking time,” he laughed. “I’ll spend two or three hours doing an initial sketch, an hour or so making revisions, and after that, it might take 12 to 18 hours or so to paint the final mural depending on the scale.”

Near the tail end of the 2025–2026 school year, Adams put the finishing touches on a massive gymnasium mural at Spencer Elementary School featuring the iconic SES Wildcat. More recently, he’s been spotted in the community of Gosport, adding his signature painted artwork to storefront windows for several local businesses.

When he isn’t holding a paintbrush or a grid pencil, Adams is an avid cyclist who logs serious mileage on two wheels.

“I used to ride back and forth to work every day that the weather would allow it; that was always the best part of the day,” Adams recalled. “Now, every day I try to ride out around McCormick’s Creek State Park and back, or out toward Owen Valley Winery. I ride about 15 miles a day, but I’d really like to do more.”

That dedication to cycling frequently translates into long-distance touring trips.

“I’m heading out on a bike ride up to Lake Michigan and back, starting from my mom’s house in Indianapolis,” Adams shared. “It’s about 150 miles up there and takes about five days. I pack my tent and camp wherever I can find a spot. A couple of years ago, I did a similar route from Dayton up to Lake Erie and over to Cleveland.”

To wind down at home without picking up a pencil, Adams turns to music.

“I like to sit around and play my guitar,” he said. “I took that up again while working as an illustrator because it was nice to come home and do something creative without having to draw. I took lessons as a kid, put it away for 50 years, and then got back to it. I really enjoy it.”

Looking ahead, Adams remains particularly drawn to projects that help honor and restore local heritage.

“I really like anything that has to do with preserving history, like old ghost signs or building lettering that needs to be touched up,” Adams expressed, mentioning past restoration work inside the Spencer Pride commUnity center in downtown Spencer. “Anything that helps preserve the historical fabric of the town is something I’m passionate about.”

At home, Adams shares his life with his wife, Emilia. Together, they have two daughters and three granddaughters.

Even after decades of creating, completing a major work brings a familiar mix of self-critique and quiet pride.

“When I finish, I mostly look at all the flaws,” Adams admitted with a laugh. “That’s pretty much what I see first. But it’s also satisfying to see the finished work out in the world. It’s the end of an adventure before moving on to the next one. You learn a few things along the way.”

For aspiring young artists across Owen County hoping to follow a similar path, Adams offers straightforward, practical advice:

“Just practice, enjoy the process, and draw a lot,” Adams advised. “Go outside, draw what interests you, copy comics, or study artwork you love. It’s the best way to learn.”