Walter Howato (1921-2003) was a member of the Reed Clan and was an active carver from the 1940s until his his death. He attended Santa Fe Indian School and was recruited by Walt Disney Studios after his graduation along with Navajo painter RC Gorman. Walter said he did evereything from performing at Disneyland to painting and interior decorating. When he returned home to Hopi he worked as a heavy equipment operator and carved dolls on the side. In the 1950s he helped with the construction of Glen Canyon Dam. 
In the early 1960s he began focusing more on carving and ws approached by Tom Bahti who commissioned him to make a replica of an old Shalako Katasina. Walter agreed and began experimenting with different techniques to make the doll look old. He eventually developed a method of mixing his pigments iwth a white clay (tuuma). He built up multiple layers of this pigment and clay mix and used a wet brush to diffuse the paint. Walter also found old cracked cottonwood root to work with.

Kachina House purchased this collection from Dean Howato, Walter's son. This is an excerpt of the e-mail he sent to Kachina House

"My father, Walter Howato, carved for over 60 years and was the first to carve old style dolls. For over 30 years, we have collected his work and just this year, have started to show them to the public and are selling them to only a very few, so they can get them out to the people that enjoy his work and we know they will hopefully find a good home, just as they were in our home. I am very happy that Kachina House has purchased some of them for us to get to those who enjoy his work. 
All the folks at the Kachina House were the most amazing people I have ever met. The owner, knew it was hard for me to let go of my dads work, but if I don't, no one will every enjoy my Dad's carvings, like we have over the years. 
I also carved with my Dad for over 30 years and am still amazed how great an artist he was. 
If you would like to know more about the dolls, please let Kachina House know and they can get in touch with us, for you.
Your Hopi Fried
Dan Howato"