Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, July 19, 1959

July 19, Sun.

Dr. & Mrs. Noehren out for a visit – a short while before Bob Blair had arrived with three water-colors of Bill Rowe – Dr. Noehren said his  mother was interested in acquiring one of Rowe’s Saranac series & I had called Bob the day before to find out the whereabouts of R’s water-colors.

A delightful couple. It is hard to describe Ted Noehren’s charm. But we were captivated by him almost from the moment last March when he entered our home to see me and advise me about my trouble. A brilliant mind, but warmly human also, keenly interested in art and other subjects.

A good visit in the studio –

His mother was too ill to come as she had planned; an unhappy circumstance, but it means they will have to come again soon, a happy circumstance for us!

At the last Blair who had remained for the studio visit, showed us a recent water-color – he has bogged down into a way of working that is not a good one I think. Not only does he do them too rapidly since the paper is soaking wet, the black invades all of the colors and deadens them.

The “evil that lurks in the hearts of man”             
The unfathomable infinity of the purity of God and the Holy Spirit, and His Son, Jesus Christ.

There are so many times that I literally let my mind wallow in unspeakable, depraved imaginings, and then suddenly overcome by deep shame, I wonder how god can possibly tolerate me any longer; and it’s then I realize that His mercy is infinitely greater than my depravity.

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, July 19, 1959