A strong wind from the west – driving great massive clouds before it. Up at north end of lot – The sun breaking through at times, sending down shafts of light – (reminded me of the time long ago, when in the same month, I observed this phenomenon from the window of the art school, and compared it to a great rim-less wheel, revolving hugely thru the great black storm sky) – One can imagine Ezekial, eyeing this same effect, over-awed by its power and majesty –
Hastily gathering my materials I started to paint – using as my fore, or foreground a view of Coltrells & Smedja’s houses, 22. and all the backyard buildings.
Painted all day with vigor and forcefulness – at times snow fell, and towards the last, my sponge & water froze. What unalloyed happiness there is in working under such conditions! – “Battling the elements,” – the painting takes on a character it could not have under milder conditions.
Charles E. Burchfield, December 6, 1941