Kay WalkingStick (Cherokee) blends landscapes with figurative imagery of people or abstract symbols and patterns Sometimes the human figure, often depicted in dance, is represented in outline form more suggestive of spirit than of flesh and blood. There is a dual aspect to much of her work: a mountain range might be juxtaposed with Native serrated diamond motifs, for instance, or geometric blanket designs form the foundation for a dance. “My paintings take a broad view of what constitutes Native American Art. My wish has been to express our Native & non-native shared identity. We humans of all races are more alike than different, and it is this shared heritage, as well as my personal heritage I wish to express. I want all people to hold onto their cultures – they are precious – but I also want to encourage a mutual recognition of shared being. My goal has always been to paint about who I am as a 20th/21st century artist, and also as a Native American. My thoughts on our native history filled my work for many years. Today, I deal with feelings and thoughts common to all. I would hope that these paintings encourage the viewer to see our shared humanity in all of its gritty, frightening, awkward, sexy, funny and beautiful commonality.”