Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), The Bearded Hills in August, 1932-1960; watercolor, black and red crayon on wove, off-white paper mounted on board, 21 1/8 x 26 7/8 inches; Collection of the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Fort Worth, Texas
Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, August 21, 1965
Friday, Aug 21, 2020
Walk out to Willow-tree about 9:00 Tree-cricket chorus in full song – (First time this year I have heard them, [although]they must have been going before this) – It was thrilling to hear them again – as elemental and stirring as the first spring peepers in April.
In the last few days I have made a new mount for the “Bearded Hills of August” (from 58 x 48 to 60 x 48) – transferred the drawing from last year’s cartoon, made all corrections; it now seems to be fully satisfactory, and fills me with great happiness (Is it truly the end of a great drought?) I thought I was going to start the painting today but was unable to bring myself to make the first stroke (This inability to start is galling, but it always turns out to be valid.
And I can’t help but think what will happen when I do start – it seems a clear path now, but that is deceptive – But start I must – I hope on Monday.
Charles E. Burchfield, August 21, 1965