He began his artistic career in 1983 and his art features landscapes and other cultural elements of Navajo life.
This has prompted him to describe the act of painting as "removing myself from harsh reality and living in that world of beauty I have the power to create with my hand".
[2] During the summer Begay was allowed to return home to his parents, where he made sure to spend the time immersed in his culture.
[citation needed] Begay has worked as a National Parks ranger in Arizona and Wyoming and in 1983, began to paint professionally.
[6] He later moved back to his Navajo reservation in Arizona and currently lives in Kayenta, where he works on his art in a hogan located about 30 miles away from his house.
Begay has commented about those comparisons, as he believes his style to be individualistic and that he paints "with an impressionistic sensibility" that he states comes from "the whole idea of reciting the chants, the ancient prayers.
[2] This painting was done in a birds-eye view, and it features a group of people scattered on the floor who appear to be unconscious; the only one awake is a kitten, and it is looking up, meaning it is staring at the viewer.
Shonto discusses this painting during an interview; he mentions that the cat looking straight at the viewer reminds them that there is still hope in this chaotic world.