Meet Dusty Reyes | Owner of Leda Atomica Studio

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

Hi Dusty, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Several of my creative friends expressed the same concern around the same time – they were tired of spending so much time learning to run a business when they wanted to be making art. Painters trying to design websites, printmakers running an Etsy shop; that stuff wasn’t what they wanted to be doing, and there was a lot to learn.

I’ve been running my own businesses for a long time. In the last 20 years my work has been serious – finance, water chemistry, plumbing, engineering, real estate – and yaknow, I felt like I wanted to have fun with my business skills for a while.

Life brought me to a point where I could use my marketing, sales, web design and management skills to help my artist friends bridge the gap between their work and the world. It’s fun for me and they seem to be having a good time too. So far, so good!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve been fortunate that I’ve been able to do work that I truly want to do. I’ve run water utilities, non-profit organizations and now I have an art and apparel company. I think the key to my success is putting my energy behind things that spark real interest in me. When I love something and believe in it, I can be successful – I’ve seen it and done it and would like to keep going!

Leda Atomica is like a love letter to my artists – I love the work they do, and that’s why they’re with my company. I’m not interested in hosting artists I don’t have an affinity for or create things I’m not excited about. I believe in them and that’s what keeps me going.

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.
Well, I’ve lived a lot of places and Tucson is by far my favorite. When my bestie comes to town we eat boatloads of tacos and Sonoran Dogs because that’s it’s own cultural experience! We hang out at Xerocraft, a makerspace near downtown – they’ve got a wood shop, welding shop, CNC machine, laser cutter, 3D printer, a new blacksmithing and forging area, a jewelry studio, electronics shop… and a freakin’ radio station. If you want to learn how to handle any of the tools of those trades, we’ve got them! I say “we” because I’m the president there and well, WE’d love for you to come visit. (xerocraft.org) And then me and my bestie would go climb some mountains! The hiking here is phenomenal. Being outside is high priority for me.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The artists I work with deserve a ton of credit because without their trust, enthusiasm, and communication I wouldn’t be able to do this. My partner Ben always holds down the fort, encourages me, and laughs with me when things are a little harried. My buddy Laura, she has shown up for me so consistently over the years and her presence has been incredibly meaningful in my life. I’m certainly no island! I have immense gratitude for the other people who have crossed my path; clients, friends, romantic partners, naysayers, haters and irritators – they’ve all shown me things I needed to see.

Website: www.ledaatomicastudio.com

Instagram: @ledaatomicastudio

Facebook: facebook.com/ledaatomicastudio

Other: Find out more about Xerocraft @ www.xerocraft.org