Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

 A rain hope as it proved. East on the Genesee Rd.At one point I found a “black” pond for which I have been searching—(the water a dark tobacco color—the reflections black). A few ghostly goldenrods in front. A fine subject, but it required a quiet sunless day. A few miles eastward I came to a delightful spot on rolling land & here determined to stay.On the south side of the road a rise of land, with a few dead weeds & thick growth of saplings, with great sunlit clouds rolling along its top—This I determined to be my subject—But on all sides I saw beautiful material. Wide rolling fields of dead greens to the N.E. with great lavender cloud shadows sweeping across it—To the north a dense woods, and to the N.W. woods & open fields that occasionally was lit up beautifully by the sunshine. First I ate my lunch, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Then I set up my easel. The wind was so strong that I had to resort to all sorts of makeshift schemes to combat it. I parked the car diagonally to the road & set the easel in the lee of it—then I opened the big umbrella & fastened it to the car. My easel & paper were secure but the wind caught my head & sides & made painting difficult.Hardly had I started when the scene to the N.W. seemed desirable & for a few moments I wavered wondering which to do. But I stuck to my original subject.All afternoon. Hunters kept passing, some on cars some afoot. All complained of the cold. Once a car stopped, two middle aged men in it (one the diver, looking like a certain stern—faced movie actor).  He said “Have you a license to do that sort of thing in (?) Country?” “No, I haven’t,” but I thought as long as I didn’t put a deer in it, it would be o.k.”— Altho he did not change his facial expression I would see that he liked my answer. “Would you sell that picture?” Well, not just yet, I have so many things to do to it”—A moment’s