Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

saw it. A rain-storm was coming up. Then a wide low valley between two long flat rises of ground ran a winding stream; as I watched the ragged clouds dipped down suddenly to the creek, and collapsed in great torrents – I thought I am actually seeing a cloud-burst Great scattering drops of rain pounded the ground around me lit up by a strong gleam of sunshine.

Nov. 15, 1929

To Hamburg for a walk, after trying in vain all morning to work. The day was bright & windy and I could not resist the thoughts of a ramble.
East along the old railroad bed – Farmer plowing a field – which I sketch. A magnificent day – great cloud formations come up in such rapid succession that I am filled with wonder and anguish – The sun rolls along the top of some to the south-west creating startling effects that fill me with the presence of a supreme being – To the south a grim massing of heavy blue-black clouds, in front of which is a sunlit freshly plowed field and a beech woods with gleaming which (sic) trunks & branches & rich sienna orange twigs.
The road-bed leads thru a woods – the sunlight is gone – The woods rustles with a remote melancholy sound—