Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), Backyard Fantasy, 1951-59; watercolor on paper, 27 1/2 x 24 1/2 inches; Image from the Burchfield Penney Art Center Archives
Charles Burchfield, Journals, February 8, 1950
Monday, Feb 8, 2016
7° above this morning. A brilliant sunrise. By noon it was above 32° so set up my sketching out-fit in the backyard; back of the pavilion looking south – a strong feeling of spring in the air, or the sunlight sweeping in powerful waves up from the white southern horizon. Starlings, provoking mimics that they are, added to the illusion of spring by their realistic imitations of meadowlarks and blue-birds.
Charles E. Burchfield, February 8, 1950