Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, Vol. 42, February 7 account of January 19-25, 1940

A summary of the last two weeks or more —

Jan – 19 – A blizzard, with the temperature about zero. Still life of two plants in front of a frosted window –[Burchfield bracketed the next paragraph with red pencil.]

[(It seems I cannot really paint until I become desperate from inactivity) – One of the plants was the one Bengert’s gave us for Christmas – a red cyclamen, — the pot hideously dressed in a Christmas red straw mat – my problem was to convert this bin of vulgar coloring into something of significance.)]

Picture completed on Tuesday – Jan. 23 –

Bored & exhausted from the effort – I went into the harbor, and found my vigor & enthusiasm suddenly restoed. Hamburg Turnpike (Fuhrmann Blvd) closed to traffic – Park by Ford plant, and walk down railroad to “Black Iron” Bridges – a fine exciting walk. — Study of fading winter sun seen thru the westernmost bridge. [The R.R. worker who gave me a box-end to stand on while painting “Black Iron” came out, and told me he still remembered that painting as a swell picture. I promised him a photograph of it.] –

Before coming home I stopped at a lunch wagon for sandwich & coffee – I was chilled thru.

Jan 24 – 25 – An attempt to paint the Bridge & Sun subject bit it misfires.

[Burchfield bracketed the next paragraph with red pencil.]

[About this time Holdemiller’s bring a friend (Dr. Lonsberger – 2 years from Germany) who “was interested in music” – A common “interest in music” does not insure congeniality. He thought Sibelius not a significant composer because he was not an innovator in method, whereas Stravinsky was greater because his method was new and revolutionary. It was a strange boring evening, nobody seemed to listen to the music; —or to each other, for that matter –]

Charles Burchfield, February 7 account of January 19-25, 1940