Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

of this zero weather – To me, the artist, interested chiefly in weather – all weather is beautiful, and full of powerful emotion – This “icy blast” from the vast north-eastern wastes – the monotone of gray and black and white, - Trees seem to grow thinner, taller, and shrink into them-selves as do homes and other objects – That I did not realize this shows that I have allowed myself to grow dull and insensitive thru the disuse of my faculties – my ability to enjoy whatever is going on in the world of nature, and the keen delight of painting it down. I must search myself – how can I realize otherwise, whether I am drifting into the oblivion of the mediocre artwork – that outlook that the masses hold, and which is worthless – deadening. Jan. 23 – Sat. Thawing – with heavy opaque yellowish gray sky – P.M. Sketch of view [of] Bengertt’s house, from the porch of my studio. Jan. 27 – Wed Painting, indoors, of a studio I made last Friday of the rising sun behind Cottrill’s house, when it was only 4° above. Jan. 28 – 31 – Days of self-doubt, and indecision, for which there seems no good reason.