Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), To My Sweetheart, 1960, red gouache and pencil on paper board, 17 15/16 x 19 7/8 inches, Charles E. Burchfield Archives, 2014
How different the world is after a man has found a woman whom he can construct a plan of his future — A few weeks ago I wandered afield terrified by my loneliness in nature — the hills and trees and skies seemed alien—even hostile—to me, and I fled from them to get back to town where I could see and talk with people, which in turn was unsatisfactory. Now the whole earth is smiling at me; the sights and sounds of June never seemed so full of meaning; I can sit endlessly on hillsides and dream hour after hour, and not care when I get home—
And she has been there all this time and I never realized!
Charles E. Burchfield, To My Sweetheart, 1960