Charles Burchfield, Journals, July 31, 1948

To the country around Lake Ontario sketching – (Planning later on to stop by and see Sally, and tell her of the visit of Mary & Dick & M.F.).

East on 354 to Three Rod rd – on which north to its end, and the Alden Rd., thence to Alden & then first road north – I cannot remember how many turns I made, out on one of the northerly roads, I parked on an intersecting road under a tree. A delightful spot – A cornfield adjacent which rippled under a stiff cool S.W. wind, I felt free & exhilarated. Wrote letter to Jim & also in my journal. Then ate lunch, & then on my way northward.

Eventually I took and northerly road from Medina. I cannot remember whether it was before or after this that I went thru a very wild backwoods sort of country, there which the roads round in an exotic fashion, the trees & bushes going right up to the road. Very mean and poverty-stricken houses. Once I considered the shell of an old log cabin as a subject but gave it up. Again at the Tonawanda Creek I considered some willows & a bridge as a subject, without acting on it.

Eventually when I began to despair I suddenly came upon an old abandoned school house, a simple frame house with a primitive but interesting steeple on it. This I felt was my subject. I set up my easel under an elm; the wind was “terrific”, I had to anchor my easel with an extra rope. Even though I managed to do it securely, the wind itself blowing in my face was a constant trial & annoyance.

Charles Burchfield, Journals, July 31, 1948