Walking Craft

As I've become more interested in observing other artists and how they go about their work and careers, I notice that most have chosen to use their name to present and market their art. I've had people ask why I picked the name Walking Craft Studio and why I didn't create an art business using my name.  I want to tell you the story of how I found the name Walking Craft and how it inspires my work and my vision for how I share my art. 

I'm fresh from my art retreat at Squam Lake, which is where part of the origin story takes place.  As I mentioned in my introductory post, my visit to the art retreat and lake in 2021 inspired me to make the leap towards being an artist.  I was in the midst of a creative burst on that trip and it was a heady space to be in.  During the retreat, I was walking behind my good friend Rae as we crossed the camp from the "Deep" side to the "Rock" side for dinner.  (The retreat takes place at Rockywold Deephaven Camp in New Hampshire and there are two sides that are connected by footpaths through the woods.  There is a lot of woodland walking that happens during the days of camp.)  Rae was wearing a denim jacket that she was in the process of embroidering in sashiko style as part of a class she was taking.  Her working thread and needle were tucked in the yoke.  I loved the image and took a picture. 

Later I sent the picture to the event organizer and said that Rae was "walking craft."  I loved the meaning in those words, they really hit me and I thought of them often: how much we walk through the world, creating and crafting. 

Not long after, I was having a conversation with another dear friend, Andy, who is an artist as well.  While we were having one of our usual rambling stream of consciousness conversations, he asked what I would do if I could put down all my other obligations in life: what would I spend my days doing if I could do anything? I said I would walk through the landscapes of the earth and when I found one that pleased me, I would sit and paint.  I would walk and craft paintings.

Months later when I took the plunge and created the first steps in my art business, which was starting an Instagram account, I called it Walking Craft Studio.  The name had deep connection to friends and the way I envisioned my life.  There was a freedom in choosing a name that could allow the art to transform over time.  "Megan Roseman Landscapes" felt fixed and I wanted to create something that could travel and change as I changed.  I also had ideas of collaborations with other artist friends and creating a space for more than just my paintings.  I wanted a name that felt like a beginning, not an end. 

I had a very successful first sale of art and cards at the art workshop a few weeks ago.  Many friends and friendly crafters stopped by my table to look at my art.  Some wanted to purchase cards to take home with them.  I think of those cards, crisscrossing from friend to friend, the words traveling the map.  I am honored that they have chosen to share my art at the same time as they share their thoughts and love with friends.  I have more sets available on the site if you have words that need a way to walk to a friend.