Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), Winter Moonlight, 1951; Watercolor on paper, 40 x 33 inches; Wichita Art Museum, The Roland P. Murdock Collection
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 seem 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 Burchfield, February 8, 1938