Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, June 9, 1939

Out again to Three-rod road to paint on the foreground. Finish in an hour or so. Just as I am about to leave, the wood-land scene to the east attracts me, with its raw yellow green foliage in the hot sunlight. I hastily set up my paraphernalia, umbrella & all. My purpose was to put down the scene as rapidly as possible, so as get the first quick impression, and avoid putting in 130. the detail that only time & reflection permit.

When I was done, (about 4:30 – or 3:30 the proper sun-time) I was not the least tired physically, but keyed up to a high nervous tension. To relax, I stretched out on the hot turf – How good the burning sun seemed, what joy to stretch and roll, to feel the warm good earth against my body. I felt perfectly happy and contented; all nature seemed to smile on me; on all sides I saw the things I loved – grass, plants, bushes, insects, trees, fields, the far horizon, the hot blue sky full of dazzling sunshine. How significant all these things seemed. I felt as tho I had been wandering for years in strange alien lands, and had returned home at last.

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, June 9, 1939