Charles Burchfield, Journals, November 1, 1963

November 1 – Friday –

Chilly with a stormy overcast sky – rain most of the night –

Flowers still blooming on, if diminishing in numbers and splendor – the longest we have ever gone without a killing frost.

Varied activities in the studio, the most important of which is the remounting and enlarging of “Sun Dogs” picture began a year ago – (from 45 x 51 – to 50 x 58) – after studying it carefully I decide the only thing worth saving was the sky; so in remounting I used all new paper except for that portion –

Today spent in sketching in the foreground charcoal, and filling out the added parts around the sky – it gains very much in power.

During this time I have tried without avail to get started on the autumn-winter transition (in reality a gateway to winter) – Part of my hesitancy is the fear of an initial failure; but today I thought of a possible solution – to start it on a larger mount than it is now, and so not be limited by the confinement of a definite size – I will transfer the cartoon to a large mount.

Yesterday afternoon a visit from a Mr. Rezler (East Cleve Gallery) and Miss Borsik (Plain Dealer) [Helen Borsick Cleveland Plain Dealer art critic] – (Inasmuch as she was taking notes, I assumed it was in the nature of an interview)

Yesterday; to the gallery for lunch, which is always a pleasant interlude –

All week I have been playing the new set of Haden’s Paris Symphonies some of his most beautiful and delightful music.

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, November 1, 1963