On Monday — Dec. 15 — I started the painting of “Christmas night” — getting an excellent beginning — but after the one day of painting, the actual “business” of Christmas obtruded so much on my mind, that the painting has stood idle ever since. But I made a number of small sketches as gifts — for Berlins, F.R. [Frank Rehn, his dealer in New York], Dr. Ehringer, and a small greeting for Samantha Reed. (who gives me the hand-made ties) —
Charles Burchfield, December 18-30, 1941