Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, February 25, 1923

Warm brilliant Sun—vast open stretches—streets running with glittering water — cool air as if swept off of vast ice-fields — the sun a blinding diamond shape and things are coal black looking south —

Near sunset time — the crude raw yellow sunlight streaming over the earth lighting up raw wide cubical buildings, houses — ice forming in shade pools — shaded earth takes a crust — at the lake — the great flocks of gulls — and like a combination of geese & blackbirds – at intervals all flying up – a glitter of white bodies & wings lit up by the sun — a marvelous sight — some birds on the ice-bound lake — 

In the afterglow queer-faced house yearning at the fading light – crude trapezoidal shapes —

In looking at some pussy-willows today and seeing the infinite variety of high-lights on their glossy shells, & the infinite variation of color on the stems I thought how easy it is to limit one’s self by doing designs which are limited to 12 colors and which demand flat treatment – I must overcome this tendency to lose the delight of sketching – of myriad accidental effects – 

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, February 25, 1923