Charles Burchfield, Journals, , October 18, 1950

Out sketching in the Big Woods—A wonderful feeling to be out again after not having painted for so long a time—A cool sunny day, quiet generally, but at times a strong wind passed thru the tree-tops, and in its wake showers of golden maple leaves fluttered lazily down to the ground. Young hemlocks speckled with leaves.

I worked on a theme that came to me last month—that of woodland steam, swollen by a heavy fall shower, carrying gay colored leaves as it tumbled down a ravine over rocks and rotting logs. In the background  put a crescent shaped opening in the woods with brilliant sunshine beyond; and had shafts of sunlight slanting down thru the trees—

Altho I was “rusty”—it  was a pleasant working. The woods seemed to be full of all sorts of creatures, mostly chipmunks or grinnies—they kept up a perpetual rustling with their erratic antics, and occasional shrill barking. A few nuthatches.

Charles Burchfield, October 18, 1950