Rubens Teles, a former art gallery director, is a native of Brazil. He holds a degree from the College of International Relations in Rio de Janeiro. He has been on the faculties of the Folk Art Institute – AFAM and Marymount Manhattan College, and is currently on the faculty of The Isabel O’Neil Studio Workshop. He also teaches privately at his studio in New York’s Hudson Valley.

James Adams, a former art gallery director, is a native of New York. He holds degrees in Art History, Biology and Environmental Studies from Trinity College and Yale University. He teaches privately with Mr. Teles at their studio in New York’s Hudson Valley.

Mr. Teles and Mr. Adams co-founded Teles & Adams, a decorative painting enterprise in 1992. They specialize in design solutions utilizing their combined expertise in custom painted finishes and interior design concepts for projects commissioned by interior designers, architects, corporate clients and private individuals. On their client list are corporate CEO’s, celebrities and artists, including Oprah Winfrey, Robert Redford and Harvey Weinstein.

Mr. Teles and Mr. Adams co-authored Folk Finishes in 1994. The volume examines decorative painted furniture techniques in the American tradition, and the roles that necessity and inventiveness played in the creation of these earliest American treasures.