Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

79. P.M.  To original scene of "Wheatfield" for studies. I was amazed to discover how much I had changed this scene in my interpretation of 1935 -

     The wind is cold and slightly unpleasant - it is not the kind of day for my picture -

     Red raspberries on way home.

     Stop by for Cathie + Art, who are ready to come.

     (More pills for Spotty for we have decided to keep her as long as she can be fairly comfortable) would that she could die in her sleep some night.

     My picture grows in power, and detachment from reality. I want to make it the epitome of July, tho I suspect it will be at the end the incident of a special day in a field of ripe wheat.[i]

                   July 8 (Wed.) -

     To Springville Country for studies of maple trees for my July picture -

     A row of grand old maples extending from the Genesee Sibley Road junction southward for several miles. Sometimes on both sides of the road, but mainly along the east. What a wonderful foresight the person or persons who years ago planted these trees had!

     After I had secured the studies I wished, I set out to find some wheat fields, for I felt it was more important to get these, than the maples, as wheat was ripening fast - Curiously there was no wheat at all, in this country. So east and northwards towards East Aurora. I was not until I reached the outskirts of this town that I found any