Meet Mariah Kaminsky | Art Business Owner/Fine Artist/Painter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mariah Kaminsky and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mariah, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
“Real artists don’t starve.” I repeat this to myself multiple times a day! It reminds me to always ask for what my work is worth. There has been this misguided notion for far too long that you are not a real artist if you are paid well for what you create. This had been very damaging to the business mindset of artists (in my opinion). It is very possible to do what you love and get your passionate message out there while making a decent living at the same time.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I was a scenic painter straight out of college. When my now husband and I decided to make the move to Durango, CO in 2001, we had to figure out how to take our theatre career skills and make them work in a small town. We ended up deciding to start our own specialty business together, Durango Custom Works, LLC. He went into woodworking and I started painting anything and everything. Most of my work was residential faux finishes, themed kids rooms and murals with the occasional public mural projects. After about 10 years of business together, he was doing more general contracting and I was going in more of a fine art direction. It was at this point that we decided to split the business up and I started my own, Mariah Kaminsky Fine Art, llc. This is when I made a conscious decision to get back in my studio and see what I could do in that realm. It has been an intense journey to figure out where I fit into the fine art world, but I am confident that this is my path. I feel a strong pull to bring joy and positivity to light. I want someone to look at one of my paintings (or murals), smile & connect with a positive moment in time.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would definitely start with the best espresso and treats @ Taste Coffee! Then we would hop in my Jeep and head up the Million Dollar Highway to the high country. The day would be spent exploring many San Juan Mountain passes and maybe a little hiking. After coming back down into town, we would grab a happy hour cocktail at The Bookcase & Barber (our speakeasy) and finally ending the first day with dinner at Eolus Bar & Dining. We have a ridiculous amount of wonderful eateries in Durango! I could go on and on just talking about all of the amazing food.

A week in Durango would not be complete without a rafting trip down the Animas River, a ride on the Durango Train, a trip to Mesa Verde and shopping in our historic downtown. Of course I would also have to take them on a special Mariah Kaminsky Public Mural Tour in Durango and Cortez!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents and siblings are my biggest fans and cheerleaders, for sure. My husband is a wonderful partner and advisor, as well. I have to give a big shout out to my collegiate advisor, Kip Shawger, for opening my mind to wherever my painting skills would take me. I graduated with a Technical Theatre degree from Ball State University with an art minor. Kip was my scenic painting teacher and advisor. These skills ultimately gave me the confidence to jump right into any paint challenge, big or small. I learned to just figure it out!

When I knew I wanted to refocus on fine art painting (specifically portraiture), I am lucky enough to have studied a bit with a couple of modern masters. Anthony Ryder at The Ryder Studio in Santa Fe gave me a chance to push my classical oil painting skills and feel at home for the first time within that world. Then a couple years later I attended an intensive Commissioned Portrait workshop with Micheal Shane Neal in Nashville that was also a game changer. His knowledge of the business of art was eye opening. His approach to portrait painting is much more loose than I was used to and pushed me in a new direction. Ultimately, I believe my style has landed somewhere in the middle of these two very different styles. That is my goal anyway.

Website: https://mariahkaminsky.com/

Instagram: mariahkaminskyfineart

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariah-kaminsky-98412019/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MariahKaminskyFineArt/