Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), Song of the Peterbird, Study for Sun and Rocks, c. 1944-50; conté crayon on paper, 10 3/4 x 16 3/8 inches (Frame: 15 3/8 x 21 inches); Estate of Dr. Edna M. Lindemann, 2007
Apr. 24—
Heavy rains in the morning — but it clears off by noon, then clear and cool.
Unable to settle down to anything — studying the “Song of the Peterbird — preliminary mounting of the Albany sketch – finish cementing on car.
P.M. B A & I to city line food shopping, Art to get shoes at Liberty Store (Hank & Mart had come in at noon with the news that a sale was on).
(Burchfield circled the next sentence with red pencil.)
With my mind full of spring ideas, and obsessed with longing to actually work, why is it that I can do nothing?
Late evening – car to Hank for the final painting —
I have been thinking of the spot where I painted the other day. To the right of the road there was a deep hollow or depression, in the shape of a vast open-air theatre — with a “curtain” all along the “stage” (north) side, of woods, with two groups of hemlocks very prominent. I thought, what an ideal spot for a pageant, using the woods as a back-drop, preferably something to do with Indians, such as the story of Hiawatha.
Charles E. Burchfield, April 24, 1947