-  Artist's Statement  -

As a Native American artist (Navajo/Dine'), I feel today I have an obligation to educate, preserve, promote and protect Native American culture with my art. To bring happiness and awareness to humanity is apart my mission statement.

When I decided to become an artist I knew it was important to leave certain things behind, and that sculpture and painting was the right media for me to make this all possible.

When I paint or sculpt, I try to best represent myself and Native American culture. The Dine' culture plays a large part of how I feel about myself and my art. I try to understand and glorify our maker's creation of the Native American people, the lifestyle, traditions and values.  We, the Dine', are very unique in the our ways.

It is shocking to know that the population ratio is roughly 30,000 to 1 for a Dine' person living in United States today. Therefore it is important to me to hold on to my heritage and identity and teach my kids the principles and values of the Dine' people, accordingly . It becomes even more interesting with other and smaller tribes the 30K to 1 ratio becomes even greater. I think about these things and I try to understand and know the difference between the illusion of reality in today's dominant society and the reality and teachings of the Dine' Society.

I think today many of the so-called values such as competition, the pursuit of wealth and even religion have put the world out of balance. It has brought about many good things, but it has also brought about oppression, deception and jealousy.  I feel that competition and money are not the Indian way but, we live in a dominant society which promotes those values. Despite all this, I feel we are living in the best time in the history of the world .

What's important to me, today, is my family and the creative process I am involved with every day. I try to use my time wisely by thinking first, then planning, doing the task at hand and then evaluating myself and my work daily.

If changes need to be made, I try to follow through with those changes the next day. Every new day brings hope, so I try to walk in beauty and carry on the love that I have for my family and my work.  I also work everyday to have faith in myself, in the Creator, cherish what I have, and have a charity for others.

Thank you for visiting my web site.

- Roy M. Walters Jr.