Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), March Day at Gowanda (1926 first state titled A Day in March), 1926-1933; watercolor on paper, 23 x 28 inches, Image from the Burchfield Penney Art Center Archives
Charles Burchfield, Journals, April 12, 1933
Thursday, Apr 12, 2018
To Gowanda – Lunch in a little maple grove near the canyon – yellow violets among the dead leaves – overhead tall budless maples gleaming with cold sunlight – spring beauties – the wonder of this miracle is reborn –
A cloud comes over the sun – the air is chilled at once – a foreboding comes over the grove – the hepaticas tremble gently a wind rises suddenly and sweeps thru the tree-tops with a soft roar – then with a rush comes back the sun from the cloud’s livid edge – the wind dies away – warmth pervades all space –
Oh beauty! Why cannot such moments come oftener and last longer?
Charles Burchfield, April 12, 1933