• Calligraphy •
Featured Work
Altani
2013
Pen and ink on paper with decorative papers
Courtesy of San Francisco Public Library
Translation:
Just as the calligrapher's art lies in the hand,
While what remains on the page is merely its traces,
So, likewise, is the moment the only reality,
And memory -- but the husk of days gone by.
Altani language and writing system used in the Altani Empire, a world of William’s creation.
September 1, 1939
Text by W.H. Auden
1994
Pen and gouache on paper
Every Script Contains the Spirit of its Age
Text by Adrian Frutiger
Spray-paint, silver marker, rub-down lettering on paper
Goddess Mandala
Text from Charlie Murphy’s song “Burning Times“; ”Faerie Chant” or Goddess Chant attributed to Deena Metzger
1985
Pen, ink, gesso and gold leaf on paper
The Blue Heron
1997
Poem by Marion Lineweaver
Pen and ink on handmade paper
Inscription: For Linsey and Brendan, for their wedding, with blessings and love/ Wm Stewart '97
Since Everything Is But An Apparition
Text by Long Chen Pa
Pen, gold ink, colored paper
Love Letter #2
Text from letter by Rainer Maria Rilke
1986
Brush, colored pencil and watercolor on paper
The Shell
Date unknown
From poem by Marion Lineaweaver
Pen and ink on paper
"I always wanted to do it one more time." —William Stewart
Seraphim, Guardians of Light & Color
1982
Brush, pen, ink and watercolor on paper
Inscription: for Janaia, on her Birthday • March 1982 / with love from William
The Litany Against Fear
Date unknown
From Litany Against Fear from Dune by Frank Herbert
Brush, pen, watercolor and ink on toned paper
Spirit in the Wasteland
2009
Lyrics by Charlie Murphy
Brush, pen, watercolor and ink on paper
Inscription: for Mykael Devad with love from William–December '09
Knoxville, Summer 1915
Circa 1987
Prologue to James Agee's novel A Death in the Family
Brush, gouache, pen and ink on various torn colored papers
One of my less successful big pieces but significant nevertheless, that led to the Mandelstam piece.
—William Stewart
This Is What You Shall Do
1984
Excerpt from preface to Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass (1855)
Pen and ink on paper
William suggests reading his essay “Who and To What End”
Alice Toklas and Quentin Crisp
1986
Brush, pen and ink on paper
Inscription: "for Sandy, on the occasion of her 50th birthday and to celebrat the publication of her first book— with much much love from William”
Licht und Schatten
1982
Brush, pen, watercolor and ink on paper
Attributed to Paul Klee
Courtesy of the San Francisco Public Library, The Richard Harrison Collection
Very Fine
Date unknown
Poem by Gertrude Stein
Brush, pen, watercolor and ink on paper
Black as the Center of an Eye
Date unknown
Poem by Marina Tsvetayeva
Brush, pen and ink on toned paper
Contains Russian as well as English script.
To learn more about the poet Tsvateyeva, and the influence of Russian poetry on William's work, read "A Tale of Two Pieces.”
Just a Little House
2009
Brush, pen, watercolor and ink with postage stamps on various papers from insides of envelopes
This piece was created for calligrapher Sandy Diamond who also used envelopes in her work. Inscription: "To Sandy with Love from William"
Native Dancer
Date unknown
Native Dancer, lyrics by Cris Williamson from her album Strange Paradise
Brush, pen, watercolor and ink on paper
Created for Mica Kindman
What Song the Sirens Sang
1995
poem by Sir Thomas Browne
Pen and ink on paper
You and I and All Beings
Date Unknown
Brush, pen, watercolor and ink on paper
The End
Date unknown
Ink on paper