William Stafford Art Quotations

At noon in the desert a panting lizardwaited for history, its elbows tense,watching the curve of a particular roadas if something might happen.

At noon in the desert a panting lizard waited for history, its elbows tense, watching the curve of a particular road as if something might happen.

Next time what I'd do is look atthe earth before saying anything. I'd stopjust before going into a houseand be an emperor for a minuteand listen better to the windor to the air being still.

Next time what I'd do is look at the earth before saying anything. I'd stop just before going into a house and be an emperor for a minute and listen better to the wind or to the air being still.

Our Father Who art in Heavencan lick their Father Who art in Heaven.

I just kept on doing what everyone starts out doing. The real question is, why did other people stop?

Keep a journal, and don't assume that your work has to accomplish anything worthy: artists and peace-workers are in it for the long haul, and not to be judged by immediate results.

Others may be able to accept standards from another, but an artist is a person who decides.

The earth says have a place, be what that place requires; hear the sound the birds imply and see as deep as ridges go behind each other.

I have a feeling that art is something you do for yourself, and that any time you turn your decisions over to someone else you're postponing at best, your own development. The atmosphere of the workshop should be that of trying out one's own work and accepting the signals from others but not accepting the dictation of others because that is a violation of the spirit of art. Art can't be done by somebody else, it has got to be done by the artist.

Please think about this as you go on. Breathe on the world. Hold out your hands to it. When morning and evenings roll along, watch how they open and close, how they invite you to the long party that your life is.