Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), Sunshine and Rain, 1946 - 1947; Watercolor, white gouache, graphite under drawing on white wove paper with segment of an embossed papermaker's stamp at upper right corner (AN), assembled in 5 pieces, laid down to a thick sheet of millboard, 54 x 49 x 3 inches; Courtesy of Karen and Kevin Kennedy
Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, April 25, 1947
Tuesday, Apr 25, 2017
A brooding day, cloudy, a feeling of rain at any moment a vague silvery light from above—
A.M. Restless unable to settle on much. Finished the re-mounting & reconstruction of “New Albany”—Hating myself for my painting inactivity.
P.M. Finally, desperate, I decide to make a painting of the pear-tree Albarella’s backyard, and put into it all the mood of the day and my own tortured spirit. Just as I set up my paraphernalia, it commenced to rain, so I had to put up my umbrella also, which is always a hindrance as to lightning. (Which is another source of irritation to me—namely—my projected plan for making a transparent rain-shelter; I cannot bring myself to start it, fearing that it will not work).—Painted until six o’clock when the light began to fall (the rain ceased soon after I started).
Charles E. Burchfield, April 25, 1947