Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

26. half our income will go into war material etc. We are faced with a situation we, as a nation cannot avoid, either with honor, or with safety, and we have to see it thru, but it is all depressing to me, and keeps me from doing my work. Having thought it out, and taken others advice, it seems my best service aside from paying taxes + buying goods, my best service so far will be to go on painting as before. But it is difficult to achieve the detachment necessary to good (sic) painting. To record – or try to express the disaster that has overtaken the world seems futile, and of no service. In a similar period Beethoven gave us his great symphonies. – Sibelius wrote his Fifth – It is up to the artist to take the long-range view, and create in peace. It is hard – but I must somehow pull myself out of this slough.[i]

     It has been Catherine’s custom to play records the last few evenings, as she knits – and on several occasions she has played Beethoven Sonata + Quartets – Truly has he said, that whoever understands his music will find comfort therein – Great Beethoven! The greatest composer of them all. [ii]

                   Jan 17 – (Sat.)

     The second of clear crisp sunshiny days – the sunlight brilliant, the sky a fathomless blue, and the air full of a tang that suggests sap-running.

     This week I have gotten out the 1931 “Winter” (Elm + Sycamore, Buffalo) – made new studies, and remounted it from 27 x 40 to 32 x 51. As I conceive it now it should make a beautiful picture-