Charles Burchfield, Journals, September 10, 1916

An idea – To allow design motives in a scene to exist almost alone – As in the markings on tree bark – These designs only will be drawn all other detail merely suggested –

To design a plant which may suggest the progress of the seasons – Or a trees showing winter at the bottom
Spring in the lower branches, Summer in the upper with Autumn [CD] the top with fruit –

Today’s was September – A wonderful macherel sky at morning with a stiff cold wind from SE – noon vivid, white + hot [CD]of butterflies + rasping of cicadas – 

Mellow sunset

Startling moon at afterglow – How a moon changes at sunset time - first flat white in the chalky blue sky – then a luminous pale yellow then a dk blackish glow appears around it which suddenly at the last light turns to a full Y G glow –

Make arbitrary designs of plants etc, conventionalizing all there is of sky in one spot, all trees in another etc –

Great patches of wonderfully Rhythmic machine clouds swept by all night last night –
The Autumnal Equinox takes note of dying plants which assumes grotesque shapes + attitudes; of the last frenzied flutter of butterflies; of thinning trees + falling leaves; of migrating birds; of brilliant moons + romantic moonlit nights, of rain wind + storm.

A scene with grotesque sunflowers in queer attitudes

Charles Burchfield, September 10, 1916