Charles Burchfield, Journals, August 23, 1962

Slept until after 8:00 which happens so seldom it seemed wonderful.

A very warm day, but with low humidity – about noon a great fan-like formation of mares-tails with the vanishing point at due north.

A.M. in the studio hoping to feel the impulse to paint – but it did not happen. So I studied a few of the larger pictures, such as the new Sunburst, which I think I should give  the title “The Heavens Declare the Glory of God” rather than to the Sirius, Orion + Moon picture of last February (that could be called “Orion in Winter” - ) and “The White Wings of September” the later at once suggested changes, and I made notes for it.

About 11:00 we went food shopping and then into H’s for lunch, which was very pleasant. Afterwards, we bought several small vases.

In studio again, this time studying the “Sparrow-Hawk Weather” – The tree in this is much too complicated – I made several studies aimed at simplifying it – I think I have it more or less solved.

In going over these pictures it came to me that it would be good perhaps to consider an exhibition with a “theme” namely the Twelve Months with a firmly “nature” point of view – Ones not in process are January, April, May, July, November and December which turns out sadly enough, half of them.

End of the day music – Smetana’s tone-poems – “Richard III”, “Wallenstein’s Camp”, ”Hakon Jarl”.

Charles E. Burchfield, August 23, 1962