She doesn’t just talk about success. She lives it—quietly, consistently, and with the belief that dreams come true when you truly serve them. Josipa Maras is an artist who traded the traditional canvas for digital painting at a time when it wasn’t a trend, but a gutsy move. Out of that faith and a few sleepless nights, Studijo Wallpapers was born—hand-painted, authentic, and timeless.
“I want people to remember that you can make a living being exactly who you are. What I’ve drawn is fleeting, but the message that you can thrive on your own talent—that’s what I want to leave behind.”
Her journey wasn’t glamorous. Weekends were spent working, mornings were met at the machines, and sacrifice was a daily reality. She could have given up on anything—except for her children and her faith in the Studijo story. Today, with her wallpapers in homes across the globe, it’s clear that this vision wasn’t just ambition; it was a purpose. Gratitude is a value Josipa lives as intensely as authenticity, courage, and consistency. In a world that often demands quick results and loud success, she chooses quiet victories, long-term decisions, and a life of genuine meaning.
That is why Josipa Maras is our Human Voice – The Voice of Art. Because her art doesn’t end on the wall. It continues in the way she lives her life, the relationships she builds, the messages she leaves behind, and the values she upholds. She doesn’t just talk about success—she lives it, without needing to impose it. And it is in that silence, that clarity, and that faith that dreams come true when they are served, that her voice becomes one worth hearing.
For those who don’t know me—I’d say you haven’t missed much. For everyone else, I’m Josipa Maras. A graphic designer by education, a painter by “horoscope,” and an entrepreneur by duty. In practice, that means along with everything I do “on paper,” I also take on all these life roles: mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend.
I don’t try to separate these roles or rank them. They all coexist and complement one another. Sometimes, certain ones are incredibly challenging, but I know they’re also what shape me. I believe it’s precisely this blend of roles that makes me the person I am today.
I could say it could’ve been worse, but am I satisfied? Yes, I am. Because I truly feel like I’m living both my purpose and every one of my dreams. That gives me the greatest sense of peace. Then again, that doesn’t mean everything is finished. There is room for improvement—definitely. But I don’t view that space as something I’m lacking; I see it as an invitation to keep growing.
I’m proud of and happy about a lot of things. For example, I’m really proud that I graduated on time even though I’m not a ‘nerd’ at heart—though, to be honest, I kind of wish I were. I’m also proud that I managed to avoid ‘herding sheep,’ which is what my close family threatened I’d end up doing if I didn’t study. I’m proud of the business I’ve built, but most of all, I’m proud of my family, my friends, and the circle of people who are in this with me. That feeling that you aren’t alone—that’s what is most precious to me.
„My victories are often small and invisible—winning the battle within, staying consistent, and showing up as the best version of myself for my kids and for me. It’s in those tiny moments that you find the lessons that truly prepare you for life.”
I see opportunities for growth everywhere, but mostly in the things I’d rather ignore. I think it’s often a matter of capacity—how much can I actually take on at any given moment?
Sometimes I feel like a 300-square-foot studio apartment—everything is within reach, but it’s completely cluttered. Then, life throws situations at you that demand a ‘deep clean.’ A total reorganization. You have to break things down and put them back together so you can clear the way for new horizons.
Usually, these are things your body instinctively resists, but life keeps calling you to work through them. I think the first step is patience. I’m definitely the type who says, “God, give me patience—and I want it right now!’”
I wouldn’t tell myself a thing, and I wouldn’t give any advice. I don’t think it’s worth wasting time on something that would just go in one ear and out the other.
I had plenty of chances to hear good advice throughout my life, and right on time, too—but I always chose my own path. It was the long way around, the harder way, but it’s what got me to the things that matter. Today, I could pretend it was all strategic. But the truth is, that path—exactly as it was—was mine.
Full interview
In corporate terms—I am the founder and Art Director of Studijo. Today, Studijo is Croatia’s first and largest wallpaper factory, with a presence in over 30 countries.
But in essence, what it looks like in practice is that I draw things and occasionally sell them. People sometimes credit me with ‘creativity,’ but I think it’s more about the fact that I merged two things that already existed—in a way no one had thought to combine before. Probably because everyone else had more important things to do.
The fact that I’m living the life I dreamed of. That I make a living doing what I truly love. I’m proud that I used the talent I was given and remained persistent and consistent through every task.
I’m also proud that today, I have both a family and a career—I have it all. I’m happy because I never settled for an ‘either-or’ mentality. I simply wanted everything at once—the family, the career, the business, all of it. I wouldn’t even call it pride as much as being truly grateful that I managed to make it all work.
I like to look at all my victories on a daily basis because they serve as a great tool for gratitude. In principle, I think I’m actually quite a lazy person. So, every time I push through to stay consistent, to follow through on my promises, and to execute what I’ve envisioned—I feel those things came to my mind or my heart for a reason. When I win that internal battle, get out of bed, make my coffee, and check off everything on my to-do list… or when I show up as the best version of myself for my kids or for me. Those are my victories. Small, quiet, but real.
First, I’d have to say authenticity. That is incredibly important to me—to be Josipa even when being Josipa isn’t exactly easy. I want to do the things I truly feel I need to do, regardless of whether they might occasionally have a negative impact on the business. Along with that, it’s important to me to be decisive and to be brave, especially when I don’t feel strong. And finally, I always want to be someone who keeps their word.
What I draw is subject to change—it’s really just a byproduct of everything else. What I truly want people to remember is that you can make a living from anything. We all have something of value within us.
It’s up to us to seek out that value and turn it into something real—to let it be our guiding light. That’s what I want people to hear and take to heart. Because what I’ve drawn is so insignificant compared to the message I want people to carry with them: that you can make a living even as an artist.
It’s perhaps the most important thing in my life. Period. It’s how I both start and end my day.
It’s the belief that life is always working in my favor. Even when I’m faced with a step that feels like a path I don’t want to take—but I know I must—I trust that it’s for my own greater good. I think that without that foundation, everything I’ve built would be on very shaky ground.
I think the younger generations are doing great, and I truly believe we’re leaving the world in better hands. What I want to tell them is this: dramatize less, and work more. Take on more responsibility and spend less time looking for credit. Through it all, have a lot of fun, and protect your health and your peace of mind. Don’t wait for the perfect circumstances or the perfect moment—that’s a huge misconception. And above all, be human. Be decent, normal people in these abnormal times.
Video Shorts
“I had plenty of chances to hear good advice right on time, but I always chose my own path—often the long, hard way. Today, I can say that exact path is what brought me right here to the life I’m living. It might not have been the fastest route, but it was mine.”