Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

116. until eventually there were only 4 -[i]

Oct 31 - Nov. 14 -

     Working on rearranging studio - tearing down the table, and constructing new shelves along the south wall - and painting the ceiling + walls a light gray-white (a new resin glue paint called Kem-tone) -

     Constructed a whimsical book-case, the head piece of which consisted of a conventionalized sun-moon and stars (CD). [ii]

Nov. 16 - 24 -

     The Metropolitan "Artists for Victory" jury meeting. I do not intend to try to give a complete account of this event as time and my present energy are not sufficient for the task.

     (As this is being written later (Dec. 9.) much that seemed interesting or important at the time, has since faded.)

     Mere physical facts now seem to have little point - The submission of over 7000 oils and water-colors, of which we retained 500 - The manner of voting (the anonymous electrical system) the expert handling of picture by the Metropolitan staff (the must have rehearsed it thoroughly) The time it consumed - Mon am to Sunday noon.

     At this date, not much remains in memory of this vast pageant of pictures - the bulk of it was stupidly bad and boring - only rarely were pictures bad or naive enough in their concept, to raise a laugh (never once was a picture,