(WWMC)

Walking with a Wilderness Mindset

Collaborative Book Project

WWMC was a collaborative project initiated by Melonie Mowinski, Jen Watson, and Joseph Ostraff, exploring the role of walking in creative practice through diverse artistic perspectives. The goal was to engage artists from a range of backgrounds—urban and rural, from different regions, ethnicities, and age groups. The project included fifteen participants.

Melinda and Joe collaborated on this project by walking the Kohab Trail in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah. Their page features drawings from the walk and botanical inks made from Utah plants. Originally placed in the center of the finished book, their page has been moved to the front of this site for easier viewing.

INVITATION

Participating artists were invited to engage in a collaborative print project inspired by the Dada Exquisite Corpse game. Traditionally, Exquisite Corpse print exchanges involve single-page prints with defined points of connection and division. This project reimagined that format by using the horizon line as a continuous link in a long accordion-fold book.

Each artist’s horizon line started and ended at the same predetermined height, but what happened in between was up to them individually.

THEME / PROMPT

Begin with a walk in a new and unfamiliar place—one that challenges you while remaining safe. It could be a night hike, an urban stroll, a rural trek, or tricky terrain. Maybe a walk alone or with others.

Take note of your thoughts and actions. Stay attuned to your senses—observe how your internal landscape shifts throughout the journey. What choices do you make? What distractions arise? Do any unexpected events occur?

Many paths lead to the same destination, each offering a different experience. Some are direct, others winding. Some avoid obstacles, while others challenge and even terrify. Walking with a wilderness mindset means embracing unpredictability—accepting that while you may feel secure on a familiar forest path, a black bear could suddenly appear. Or reality could be jolted by an unexpected encounter, like seeing someone in full 17th-century regalia emerge around a corner during Carnevale in Venice.

Participants: Sarah Maker, Melonie Mowinski, Angelique Kopacz, Lili Hall Sharp, Kelly Roe, Michae Sharp, Stephanie Dykes & Sandy Bunvard, Matther Magruder, Jennifer Barton & Gary Barton, Melinda Ostraff & Joseph Ostraff, Steven Daiber