In art, and likewise in the world of interior design, encounters between shared authorial visions are rare. Each artist experiences their work as a personal story, a unique expression, and an intimate process. Yet few understand that by sharing creativity, one does not lose their identity — rather, it becomes further strengthened.
It was precisely this philosophy that guided Josipa Maras and Mateja Kovač, two remarkable artists who decided to merge their authentic creative signatures into a new wallpaper collection – The Carousel of Life. Each with her own distinctive style, yet united by a shared passion.
We managed to catch them in the very final stage of their first joint collaboration and find out how these two inspiring women have enriched the Croatian art scene.
“The story of this collaboration began almost a year ago. Although Studijo had been continuously receiving collaboration inquiries from artists around the world, none of the ideas truly ‘clicked’ for me. That was until one day, while reading yet another email with an open call for a collab, I felt that I already knew the answer. Something was pulling me to reach out to Mateja. I have been following her work for about ten years, and I have always been in love with her artistic expression. To me, Mateja is the best illustrator in this region. When we got in touch about the collaboration, my intention was clear — for that artistic expression and the value Mateja creates to become part of Studijo in some form. And here we are today — proud to stand behind something big that will present Croatia to the world in an even more beautiful way and showcase the richness of talent created through our brushstrokes,” emphasised Josipa Maras.
Josipa Maras, founder of the Studijo brand, and illustrator Mateja Kovač are two strong creative personalities whose professional paths have been developing in parallel for years — each in her own world, yet with the same level of dedication to authenticity. For the past 20 years, Josipa Maras has been cultivating her love of painting into an inspiring career, creating art on wallpaper that has been recognised with numerous international design awards.
On the other hand, Mateja Kovač is one of the leading digital illustrators in Croatia, with more than 12 years of experience and over 230 projects completed worldwide. This charming senior digital painter and veteran of commercial illustration is known for her airy, refined style that blends vitality with a sense of measured elegance. She creates premium illustrations for brands with vision and an appreciation for craftsmanship, shaping clients’ ideas into intimate narratives — warm human stories captured in the subtle gestures of charming figures.
If you have been following their work, it is clear that this very authenticity is their strongest personal and professional asset. And if you are just getting to know them, in their first joint collection you will recognise their greatest strengths: Mateja’s illustrations of strong aesthetic character and Josipa’s distinctly defined design signature. The new collection conveys all their dreams, reflections, and imaginings from the past months. It consists of 14 of Mateja’s illustrations, transformed into a special Studijo line of wallpaper — their first collaboration together.
For Mateja Kovač, the collaboration with Studijo held a special significance — not only as a professional step forward, but also as a return to her original desire to bring illustration more strongly into the world of interiors.
“This collaboration brings me back to the very tracks where I began — my first wall decoration was created for a pastry shop, including my first wallpaper designs. Although I have always been drawn to wallpaper as a medium, I never had the desire to enter production. I wanted to keep my art within a creative expression, where I feel the most free — where I can breathe and create without limitations. That is precisely why this collaboration is so important to me. If Studijo had existed when I was starting my career, I believe I would have applied to work with Josipa. I have always seen Studijo as a brand whose author could only be her. I’m glad Josipa invited me, because we both chose to take a bold step forward. She inspires me both personally and professionally — her career path is the best example of how talent, consistency, and vision can be transformed into an internationally relevant brand. I am proud that our shared vision will now adorn homes around the world,” emphasised Mateja Kovač.
For the collection, Josipa selected Mateja’s original, self-initiated work — illustrations she created for herself, outside of commissioned projects. The collaboration was built on existing illustrations — the very ones Josipa fell in love with at first glance.
“My intention was to preserve Mateja’s unique painterly expression, while adapting the works to the demands of interior spaces through adjustments in composition, textures, the addition of new elements, and our refined Studijo style. I believe I won’t be the only one to fall in love with her artistic signature, and that this collection will win the hearts of many art and interior design enthusiasts. I would even dare to say that this is a wallpaper collection unlike any other at the moment,” noted the founder of Studijo.
As the new collection begins its journey among clients around the world, an intensive phase of business development is unfolding in parallel at Studijo. Today, Studijo is present in more than 30 countries, and its 2026 exhibition calendar is already almost fully booked. Following another successful presentation in Paris, preparations are underway for an April showcase at the Salone del Mobile in Milan — the world’s largest and most influential interior design fair. After Milan, four more fairs will follow, with the year concluding at Orgatec in Cologne.
“Many plans on paper — and a heart full of faith. Exhibiting in Milan has been my wish for seven years, and after four years on the waiting list, our time has finally come. Today, when people from all over the world approach us at fairs and say they know Studijo, I feel immense gratitude. That is precisely why I believe it is most important to nurture and build relationships with people, because they are the beginning and the end of every successful business — and of life itself,” concluded Josipa Maras.
At the same time, Mateja Kovač is increasingly opening up space for the home décor segment and a return to painting:
“The design of wallpaper, textiles, and interior products has always attracted me, although it is the area I have explored the least so far. That is precisely why I see this segment as a natural next step in my professional development and a space in which I want to build major projects. A period lies ahead in which I want to more systematically develop my presence in the field of home décor, alongside strengthening my own painterly expression. My first digital drawings were created as sketches for canvas, and perhaps the time has finally come for digital works to become the foundation of new paintings and to open a new chapter in my creative work.”
Full story
Their joint collection The Carousel of Life is available on the official website: studijo.co