Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), Nighthawks at Twilight, 1917-49; watercolor on joined paper, 33 1/2 x 47 inches; Flint Institute of Arts, Flint, Michigan, Gift of the Viola E. Bray Charitable Trust, 1964.3
A loose misty skied morning – Midafternoon clouds break – wind curls up the whitish undersides of leaves – white + salmon thunderheads in sky –
At dusk hour sudden – darkening of air to east fleeing sunlit clouds looming orange in an emerald sky, black mass of cloud overhanging – I am excited
Westward – approaching in storm – queer blue lighten – sky – Rapid changes of swift ragged clouds – cool air – white wind – clouds
Nighthawks with buzzing chirp call sail against the Clouds – They are my storm birds – Finally whole sky becomes grey + rain pours down – occasionally remote thunder –
Charles E. Burchfield, May 16, 1915