Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

Not of a very high caliber—Nov. 17—(Mon.) Mounting paper—some work in yard. Evening we play rummy. Nov. 18 (Tues.)— South-ward below E. Aurora sketching—a few pencil studies of a house & woods, then on southwards. Here it was like midwinter, a heavy snow “blanketed” the earth, and lay brilliant in the clear sunlight. I was not in the mood for it, and it seemed to throw me out of a mood for painting altogether—I kept going east & north trying to get away from the snow. Eventually I wound up at a large woods near Route 98, below Attica (where in 1935 I painted “March Sunlight over the Hills)—Here I stopped determined to stay. A walk in the woods before lunch. After lunch I set up my easel by the roadside, to make a sketch, but after two unsuccessful attempts, I gave it up, albeit in a foul mood. I cannot explain such days—The woods a glorious woods, and the cloud & sunlight effects each of it were beautiful—yet I could do nothing. Home by way of Varysburg & Route 204—in time for supper. Nov. 19—(Wed.). A.M. Letter from Moe asking for an appraisal of Nora Lee Rohr & her project (a survey of art criticism past & present). Also an added remark: “I warn you I will ask you to serve on the jury again this year”— A mild morning, with vague misty clouds in the sky—contrary to yesterday’s barren-ness I “see” pictures in every direction, full of significance. Such “awareness” is not indicative of a painting mood—it dissipates in all directions, but it is a glorious state of mind for pure enjoyment. About midmorning the sun came out clear, and I decided to work on odd jobs outdoors. It felt good to be “tinkering.” I had barely got started on a frame —