When I look at the sketch I worked on Saturday & yesterday, and note how I achieved a certain sort of freedom in it, former nature studies seen inhibited; and even this one is perhaps a little too self-contained - I think, oh when will I ever really let myself go and express the tremendous force of nature, or will I die at last without having done so? But the vital force must be within me.
I like to think of myself as an artist- as being in a nondescript swamp, alone, up to my knees in mire, painting the vital beauty I see there, in my own way, not caring a damn about tradition or anyone’s opinion.
Charles E. Burchfield, February 8, 1938