Charles Burchfield, Journals, October 25, 1954

Sketching Oct. 25, (Mon.)

Out painting –

Altho it was the first day of the pheasant season, and around Gardenville, the numerous shots sounded like a battle going on, I was not bothered out in the country as much as I feared. A quiet pleasant day.

I had determined upon a painting of corn-shocks I knew from a previous trip there were some on Bullis Rd. west of Marilla, but they seemed too close to home. I wanted the pleasure of a long drive in the country, to rid my mind of debris, and then find the shocks. So I headed south-east on 78 + then eastward, but not one field of shocks did I find. So I was bored to return to the vicinity of Bullis Rd. after all.

Lunch on a road (Rt. 77) north of and overlooking the village Bennington Center – it was pleasant sitting on the bare hill top in the sunshine. Due to the heavy early frosts, the usual October color was lacking, but muted effects were just as interesting.

The cornfield on Bullis did not seem satisfactory so I explored on Eastwood Rd. and found an ideal one. As it was so close to a house I thought it was best to get permission from the owner. A kindly white-haired lady answered my ring – when I made my request she said, “Oh you must be Mr. Schwanekamp” – When I told her who I was, she said she had seen stories on the “news” about my work –

I had to work fast, as I had only about 2 ½ hours of the kind of sunlight I wanted. So I concentrated on getting the impression only counting on subsequent work in the studio to refine it.

Home at twilight – Bertha liked the sketch.

After supper, and a rest, I persuaded her to go to the Strand to see “Francis Joins the WACS” – not up to the previous ones – a silly situation and sometimes in bad taste. But a few shots in it.

When we returned home we were surprised to see a motorcycle parked on our drive – It turned out to be Bob Blair. We invited him in for a visit – I showed him my three recent sketches.

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, October 25, 1954