Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), Two Fence Posts, 1937; Watercolor, with gouache and traces of charcoal on cream wove paper, laid down on gray wood-pulp laminate board, 26.7 x 18.7 inches; Art Institute of Chicago, Olivia Shaler Swan Memorial Collection, 1937.1106
Charles Burchfield, Journals, June 16, 1937
Thursday, Jun 16, 2016
A.M. Finished work on water color I started yesterday - a view looking past the corner of the studio to McLeod’s. My first outdoor sketch in 7 or 8 weeks. Life seems worth living again.
50. Check from Rehn in the morning mail. P.M. B & I to Buffalo to deposit check and do a little shopping. Very hot & stifling.
Late afternoon - take a blanket and lie in the deep grass on the brow of the creek bank across the street.
It is pleasant here - the late afternoon cars zipping past only seem to accentuate the peace of the stream and the meadows before me, lying so calm and bright in the afternoon sunlight. Swallows are skimming up and down over the surface of the water. Once a great dragon-fly sailed past in lazy zig-zag flight. The odor of the crushed grass under me was pleasant.
Evening- to an informal call on McLeod’s.
Later - A walk in the backyard - a deep sense of things growing powerfully - a cool damp wind from the east.
Charles Burchfield, June 16, 1937