Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, October 16, 1913

It is with some regret that I look over my last few entries before coming to Cleveland. In them, I see an overgrowing ease in describing nature which - all at once has been nipped by my coming to Cleveland. Lack of time and the nature of my school work pre­vents an absorbing observation of nature. When I am going to school, I am an artist. My expression must come thru painting, not thru writing. The love of nature is still there as the observation of beautiful sights. But their observation does not suggest a beautiful paragraph to me - no, it is rather a beautiful picture. It shall be my endeavor to try to combine these two inclinations and work them as one. And what a joy there will be if I am successful.