Cigar Store Indian c. 1937

Walter Hochstrasser made this intriguing painting, titled "Cigar Store Indian," but the date is unknown. Imagine him, brush in hand, carefully layering browns, reds, and golds to conjure this three-dimensional figure on a flat surface. You can almost see the painting emerge, the artist maybe shifting and refining his vision through each stroke. It’s interesting to think about what might have been on Walter's mind during the making of this. Look at the texture he's created – the layering gives a sense of depth, doesn’t it? Notice, in particular, how the individual feathers are rendered. There’s real attention here, a gesture that communicates respect. This piece feels like it continues a conversation with other painters, across generations, each adding their voice to the collective exploration of form and expression. After all, artists keep the creative spirit alive through dialogue and inspiration. Painting is a form of expression that embraces the open-ended, allowing for multiple interpretations.