We recently connected with Mariana Durst and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Mariana, thanks for joining us today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

In the buzzing world of modern commerce, where artistry and business often live in separate realms, a fresh outlook is not just welcome, but necessary. Through Mariana Durst Studio, I offer a new way forward that allows my visionary clients to be creators and savvy entrepreneurs.

Standard marketing doctrines don’t always play nicely with the souls of artists. Their focus on metrics and profit can often neglect the heart and soul that fuels creativity, leaving artists detached and exhausted. It’s not a lack of skill or ambition that feeds the “starving artist” myth, but rather a lack of business models that respect the ebb and flow of creativity, the true worth of artistic sincerity, and the important bond between artist, artwork, and audience.

This is where I step in, offering services that rise above the typical business hustle. My expertise in branding, copywriting, Squarespace design, and mentorship builds a bridge between the artist’s vision and the marketplace’s needs, fostering a thriving partnership of art and entrepreneurship.

Consider the case of my client, Washington DC artist Robin Davisson, a successful tenured professor at a major research university who traded in her pristine lab coat for paint-spattered chucks. Her shift from the world of science to the canvas is emblematic of the journey many artists yearn to make but often feel unequipped to navigate alone.

Here, my Liberated Artist Framework™ played a key role. This innovative method started by unearthing Robin’s personal narrative, studying her transition from science to art. But this wasn’t just about packaging her journey into a sellable story. It was about recognizing the life-altering power of her personal renaissance.

The next step involved identifying Robin’s ideal collectors, those moved by her story and drawn to the honesty of her work. This wasn’t just a simple marketing segmentation. It was about deeply understanding the dreams and aspirations of her potential collectors and how they could intersect with Robin’s artistic journey.

Finally, with a clear understanding of Robin’s approach and her potential audience, I crafted an array of bespoke marketing tools. From a captivating branding suite and engaging website copy, to compelling email sequences, each element was designed to let Robin share her story, and sell her work. But most importantly, these elements formed a nurturing and expansive ground for her growth as an artist.

The result? Robin’s evolution into a thriving artistic maven, with strong relationships with galleries, work celebrated in public and private collections, and the realization of her dream of opening an innovative studio, StudioLab RD.

My approach signifies a powerful belief: Art is more than just an item to be bought and sold. It’s a story to be told, a conversation to be shared, and a journey to be walked by both the artist and the audience. By embracing this, my studio offers a revolutionary marketing approach that respects the essence of art, honors the creative process, and seeks to engage the audience meaningfully.

For artists eager to leave a creative mark on the world, I want to offer a sanctuary—a place that understands their unique rhythm and creative cycles, and empowers them to navigate a fulfilling artistic journey.

Mariana, 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?

Mariana Durst Studio is where creativity meets strategy, and artistry meets entrepreneurship.

As a graduate of the College for Creative Studies with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, I’ve spent the better part of two decades immersed in the vibrant world of visual arts. I’ve nurtured four creative businesses, each a testament to my commitment to artistic expression, innovative thinking, and fearless entrepreneurship.

Today, I bring my values of courage, integrity, and artistry to my work with my artist clients. I provide branding, story-driven copywriting, Squarespace web design, and mentorship, focusing particularly on visual fine artists, including painters, fiber artists, and ceramicists. I also host The Liberated Artist Podcast, a podcast for those rebels and renegades who refuse to paint by the numbers and instead become bridges between art and entrepreneurship.

Taking inspiration from my Strengthsfinder results – maximizer, developer, empathy, responsibility, and strategy – I’m all about fostering the unique strengths of each of my clients. I love channeling their unique stories into brands that resonate with their audience. I’m especially proud of my carefully curated process which allows me to genuinely connect with my clients and guide them on powerful introspective journeys.

In essence, Mariana Durst Studio is a haven for artists ready to shape their unique market space, with me as their trusted guide, sharing my professional wisdom with warmth and sincerity. Because for me, art is not just about creation – it’s about telling a story that leaves a lasting impression.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

There once was a time when entrepreneurship seemed like a game of who could endure the most. I operated under the notion that the harder one worked, the more successful one became. Fueled by the whirlwind of hustle culture, such an idea whispered in my ear that success was a one-way street paved with sleepless nights and relentless toil. Busyness and burnout were badges I wore with pride.

This illusion tamed my creative spirit, replacing it with fear that pushed me to treat my first two businesses like mere hobbies. A fear of drawing money out of my business bank account, a fear of investing in my business and professional development. I was caught in a whirlpool where the value of success was tethered to the balance in my bank account.

So why was it that even though I had money in the bank, I didn’t feel that successful?

The revelation was as profound as it was simple. I was measuring my success using someone else’s yardstick. For years, I struggled to unlearn this limiting belief, and in time, I found my own definition of success—feeling inspired every day. I realized success was subjective and I was the only one who could deem my journey a success.

As I began to shape my perception of success, I witnessed a remarkable transformation. Suddenly, everything started falling into place. My businesses began to bloom, and with each passing day, I felt more and more successful.

The clearer I became about my goals, my success metrics, and my boundaries, the more my businesses prospered. I started to pay myself a consistent salary, supporting causes close to my heart, and making a meaningful impact on those I aspired to serve.

As creatives and entrepreneurs, we have a unique opportunity to infuse our business with our artistry. To personalize our experience as business owners and make it what we desire. When I finally understood this, was when I started doing business from the heart and enjoying it so much more.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Before Mariana Durst Studio, I had a business selling hand-crafted, small-batch herbal goods such as elderberry syrup, herbal salves, and adaptogenic herbal coffees. This community-centered business brought me much joy. I dove in whole-heartedly crafting amazing goods to support families around me. I gradually became the best known “elderberry syrup lady” in my area. And my herbal goods were positioned at the top of the market and making a profit.

That’s when I hit the ceiling.

In order to continue growing and scaling, I needed to find a commercial kitchen and scale my operations—something that would have taken my connection from crafting away. I’m all about nurturing businesses and growth and I just couldn’t see how I could continue doing that without compromising my integrity. It was time to do something different.

That’s when I reflected back on my story. On my Bachelor in Fine Art and on all the things that I had learned throughout my entrepreneurial journey. I brought them all together to create all-inclusive websites for the people I love the most—artists. That was how Mariana Durst Studio was born.

Contact Info:

• Website: marianadurststudio.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/marianadurststudio
• Facebook: facebook.com/marianadurststudio
• Podcast: liberatedartistpodcast.com

Image Credits
Christina Harrison – Photographer/Stylist Meaghan Keck – Stylist