Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, October 18, 1950

Out sketching in the “Big Woods”—  

A wonderful feeling to be out again after not having painted for so long a time —            

A cool sunny day, quiet generally, but at times a stray wind passed thru the tree-tops, and in its wake showers of golden maple leaves fluttered lazily down to the ground. Young hemlocks speckled with leaves. 

I worked on a theme that came to me last month — that of a woodland stream, swollen by a heavy fall shower, carrying gay colored leaves as it tumbled down a ravine over rocks and rotting logs. In the background I put a crescent shaped opening in the woods with brilliant sunshine beyond; and had shafts of sunlight slanting down thru the trees. 

Altho I was “rusty” — it was pleasant working. The woods seemed to be full of all sorts of creatures, mostly chipmunks or grinnies. They kept up a perpetual rustling with their erratic antics, and occasional shrill barking. A few nuthatches. 

Afterwards a short walk with north east wards, then parking my car on the brow of the hill to the west, I ate my evening lunch — then home in the twilight.

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, October 18, 1950