Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

On Saturday during our walk along the Niagara River¬ – it came over me all at once how proud & glad I was that I was “I” – that my conception of nature was all sufficient to me – that nature in all its raw hash uncouth beauty was worth more to me than all the sophisticated art of the world– that I am a pioneer, and that I must return the courage to present nature in all its harshness & not soften it to the vulgar taste of sophistication –Youth is a thing of the spirit – no matter what circumstances or duties or cars tend to drag you down – – youth always must be retained – The courage for experiment is a mark of youth – & seeing life as a poem’s another – ; The courage to see nature with the great graphic shorthand of youth.