Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), Trees in Autumn, undated; watercolor and gouache on paper; Private Collection, Image from the Burchfield Penney Archives
Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, September 9, 1913
Monday, Sep 9, 2013
Days of youth!
Days of Hope!
Days of energy and invigoration!
Days of romance!
Today’s cold snappy weather ushered them all in. Morning dawned cold and clear. Oh, for the joy of jumping into water colder than the air! Oh for the joy of a brisk rub-down. What a keen pleasure to watch the pink glow come over one’s flesh! …
I walked home to-night!
Walked! Yes, walked! I thought I walked home every night, but I never really walked: at best ‘twas only an amble. It takes a cold snappy air to make one really get up from realism and walk hand and hand with romance. Summer’s warmth and daze, I repeat: daze! While summer was here, I worshiped its good things, but a first taste of autumn - ! Ever and always with me, the present-time is the best time of the year!
Charles. E. Burchfield, September 9, 1913