Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), Sunburst in December, 1915; watercolor and pencil, 20 x 14 inches; Image from the Burchfield Penney Archives
Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, November 13, 1914
Friday, Nov 13, 2020
A November day. Tho sky at going-to-bed was starry early morning brought rain which soon ceased, and the day became one of mighty wind and swift clouds. Midmorning showed a wonderful phenomenon of sunlight. Thru holes in the clouds the sun sent great shafts of light, and as the clouds hurried along the shafts swing around like giant searchlights a marvelous sight. When there were several, they appeared as a great rimless wheel slowly revolving thru space. I was keyed up to the highest pitch of excitement and roved restlessly from window to window unable to satisfy myself and finally ended up by going out of doors where the wind snapped around my shoulders.
Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, November 13, 1914