Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

78.                May 6, 1935 –

A.M.  With Bertha & Arthur to Buffalo to Bank & a little shopping, after which, to elevators. We are stopped by a train at the Lower Terrace. I looked at the great engine with delight, and I realized all at once the undoubted superiority of my method of using water–color. Only can the real hand-boiled realism of such things be achieved. I thought of X’s water-color of a locomotive – how puny it was done as it is in the conventional manner. The relation between my water-colors and the traditional manner is the same as between Beethoven & the Classists.

I played the Opus 130 quintet last night. In one part there is a peculiar effect in the base-viols - two notes alike followed by a half- step higher note, very gruff and abrupt – what impelled Beethoven to do it? It was following an impulse, and he put it down, even tho it had no excuse as ordinary music. I have done it too in my best things; I do not yield to the impulse often enough. Only so, is real art created.