Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, August 1, 1947

To Zimmerman Road— A brilliant day after a cold morning—the sun warm but cool northerly wind. I felt good, and eager to paint, and also to get some ferns and cardinal flowers in a little garden on the side of the house. As it was not quite lunchtime, I decided to get the plants before eating, then paint in the afternoon and get extra dirt, etc, in the evening. I went to the accustomed spot where the flowers were plentiful and dug up ten plants. My basket was not big enough, so I was forced to make a sort of bag of my coat for the rest. After I had placed these carefully in the “trunk” of the car, I went and dug up the same number of ferns. A short walk to relieve myself of the exertion, and then I ate my lunch. After this, I set out to find my painting spot. My subject, in a way, was a pre-conceived one. I wanted to paint the effect of sunlight coming from directly behind me, with the effect of sun rays coming from above and slanting downwards (the effect produced by perspective).

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, August 1, 1947