Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), Orion in December, 1959; watercolor and pencil on paper, 39 7/8 x 32 7/8 inches; Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
Charles Burchfield, Journals, January 13, 1920
Thursday, Jan 8, 2015
I walked out tonight in the terrific wind – it blew out of the west sifting new sandy snow over the polished icy surface of the old snow. I am winter, cold buoyant winter tonight, without a desire, happy only to be alive and have senses.
Finished reading “The Tidings Brought to Many.” Two men in it sat in the night and mentioned constellations as telling the progress of night. My life is not so hurried I don’t know when the stars rise – I thought of vast evenings spent in meditation – I saw the earth once again as from a tremendous height; the old premature sunrise, and the wonder of solemn summer afternoons long drawn out; The wind blows a gale outside.
Charles Burchfield, January 13, 1920