Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, September 21, 1951

Sept. 21 –

To Zimmerman Rd painting –

A glorious day packed full of delightful impressions from beginning to end.

Parked at the open fields to the north of the main woods. The moment I landed, I felt at once that it was a special day – brilliant sun, hot dry wind from the southwest blowing of the meadows of bleached grass, asters, and goldenrod.

I decided to do a piece featuring the asters and dry grass – almost from the first, the picture took the lead and I had to follow as best I could – and it was difficult to invent rapidly enough the semi-abstract conventionalizations that the power and beauty of the wind, sunlight and sky demanded, worked until 3:00...

First I spread a blanket beside the car and lay down to rest – it was pleasant to look straight into the zenith and watch flaky white clouds float across the deep blue – the music of the wind in the weeds all about me – Then I ate my lunch, which I enjoyed a lot.

Then for a walk eastward – thru – the deep grass and other plants – A pair of “blue” butterflies joined together, alighted on my hand, and stayed there for a long time – What dainty little creatures! Walking thru a patch of lesser cinquefoil – the odd sensation produced by the sound and feel of my feet breaking thru their hoary stems. – The view out over the Boston Valley – Head of cattle on the extreme edge of the thin strip of woods that extends up the road. – A pleasant woods, with little underbrush. I walked back thru it.

Charles E. Burchfield, September 21, 1951