Gas rationing registration yesterday. I have applied for additional rations - the thought of not being able to go out at least occasionally in the car is depressing.
P.M. class at Point of Rocks. (last day)—suddenly turned very cold. I lent my jacket to Dr. Miller. Evening—to Millers & pick them up & go to see Mrs. Tweed’s art collection...
P.M. – In studio redding up some, and scrubbing out portions of “Fantasy of Heart” (1952) and “Cicada Woods” (1951) preparatory to making changes...
"...(the good that I would do, I do not, and the evil I would not do, that I do) never seemed so apt and revealing of the dual nature of man..."
A beautiful day; clear skies, dry air, a slight breeze, the sunlight clear and brilliant –
My subject in a way, was a pre-conceived one. I wanted to paint the effect of sunlight coming from directly behind me, with the effect of sunrays coming from above and slanting downwards (the effect produced by perspective). I found, without trouble, an ideal place for the working out of this idea.
There is a sinister quality to a hot August wind as it sweeps up over the oat stubble, and moans thru the loose clapboards of an old barn...
Afterwards when I went outdoors to relieve my eyes, I was alarmed to discover that all lights, including the moon had a secondary image directly below it, overlapping on the time image.
I could not free my mind of the imitations of the early part of the evening, and felt frustrated that on this one evening, which will probably be the only one this season for “heat” lightning, I was not attune.
Out in studio in the morning a short time. P.M.- Started [working] on the Genesee Rd. Picture (1952)