Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), Rainy Night, 1929-1930; Watercolor over graphite, 30 x 42 inches; The San Diego Museum of Art, Gift of Anne R. and Amy Putnam, 1939:97
A.M. To Buffalo to do some shopping. At first I was annoyed at the incredible amount of traffic, which seemed to move like slow-moving lava; horns tooting, and pedestrians flying here & there - But something in the look of the sun shining on the garish buildings, and the loose steamy clouds mounting upward changed the whole scene for me, and I found myself glorying in the noise & confusion - strife and struggle, I thought that is what an artist should feel, if he is to produce vital work. From then on I enjoyed myself.
Charles Burchfield, July 3, 1937