Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

From Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, Volume 35, Undated entry between November 29, 1922 and December 1, 1922, Burchfield Penney Art Center, The Charles E. Burchfield Archives, p. 67:

            As I sat in an office on the 5th floor of a building downtown and looked out over the motley collection of buildings and noted the crude manufactory shapes (such as water towers and the like) I thought it is not what a place is that makes for art — it is what the artist feels about them.  A seer looking at two rails gleaming [in] the sun may conceive a great work of art than the imitator who sets down the most picturesque or perfect old world city & building, without feeling —