Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, Vol. 44 (June 10, 1942): 70-71.
                                                                       June 10 – Wed.
     Sketching S.E. of Marilla.
     A very hot, humid day – the air full of a thick milky white haze –
     I had in mind the painting of a willow tree with the hot sun pouring down, a little stream with reflections — but as often happens, I could not find anything in nature to agree with my idea; and as a result, I drove here & there aimlessly. I found an attractive spot by the road, east of Cowlesville, where I had a widespreading [sic] view to the west of the heat-hazed landscape. The haze divided the landscape into many layers, one lighter than the preceding one. Here I ate my lunch.
     Remembering the little willow bordered stream near the Liberia Rd, where this spring (March 20) - I made a water-color, I drove there hoping for inspiration, I found none, but I did find a patch of sun-dew in a marsh; the first I ever saw around here.
     [Note in the left margin] Attacked by bees which I mistook for stinging flies.
     I drove on to where the road turns north to Marilla, and here, as a last resort, I determined to make a painting. After I had my easel set up, the heat pouring up from the meadow was so intense, I almost got sick at my stomach and felt like giving up. However, I kept on, and painted until after five. With my face burning, and a dull headache, I set out for home.
     By now a great storm had formed in the southeast and was a magnificent sight, with the pale sunlit trees and fields up against its deep blue-black clouds.