Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, May 19, 1962

May 19 – Saturday –

Not quite so warm, the air drier – later in the afternoon, mists began to gather – thunderstorms were predicted, but none developed – and by the night the brilliant drought moon shone from a warm violet sky –

A.M. – worked at cleaning out the garden along the east fence near the house (which Bertha had started having gotten up earlier than I)

Lunch under the willow tree again – we both concluded we think of no other place on earth we’d rather be than in this little spot. A yellow warbler and orioles kept singing most of the time we were there –

P.M.. – In studio study the drawing of the “Bearded Hills” again. I felt it was far from satisfactory so I got out the original small version, made in 1932 – and studied it – I soon realized all the foreground material was crowded around the left – So with a tracing paper, I made tracings, shifting the house + Locust tree to the left, changed the position of the lane between the oat- and corn-fields more to the left, and that part seemed to work better – but still it did not seem quite right.

Evening to Creams for a snack – then for a drive southward + eastward. Landed in Hamburg finally parked and strolled about town looking in windows. We noted how many stores were empty and for rent – In various windows there were displays of “antiques” of all sorts – coins, china glass, clothes etc, in connection with the sesquicentennial observance, of the founding of the town (1812-1862).

Home by way of Orchard Park Rd – I kept thinking of the Bearded Hill problem – So I brought the tracing and the small water-color into the house to study and discuss with Bertha – Suddenly the solution suggested itself in moving the house + telegraph to the right, I had had to cut off about 6 inches of the hills – this I restored by putting the water-color back of the tracing, and it added vastness to the landscape – a simple thing but important – I will make the picture 54 x 48.

Cards have been coming in for the last few days for our anniversary – from Evie + Bob, Vi + Art; the anniversary committee from the church, from the [word unintelligible] – when I came in from the studio, Bertha said, “look in the front room.” There on a little stand was a marvelous bouquet of yellow roses and white chrysanthemums, from Sally – Bertha had placed all the cards at the foot of the stand.

Then a little before six, Galley’s delivered a corsage for Bertha (pink rose-buds and white pom-poms) and a white carnation, boutonniere for me from the church –

Music for the end of the day:

1. “Music before Columbus”

Prelude + Presto for Ancient American Instruments composed by Peggy Glanville-Hicks.

1. “Gymnopédie” by Satie (orch. By Debussy) –
2. “The Last Spring” by Grieg
3. “Wedding-Day at Troldhaugen” by Grieg
4. Waltzes – Grieg
5. Finlandia –

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, May 19, 1962