Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, October 20, 1962

October 20 – Saturday –

A brooding, cloudy day – about mid-afternoon, the sun broke partly through riffs in a dappled sky, but then the sky became more overcast – and after darkness had arrived, rain began to fall.

A.M. – redding up in the studio after yesterday’s mounting – on the way back from putting some paper in the burner, the sight of dead wild sunflowers and the ash-tree stirred me, and I resolved to paint out-doors after lunch. A surge of joy went through that once again I was granted the urge to paint.

Noon over to Ebenezer to order pizza for our lunch and buy some fruit.

Painted until after four – Bertha came out, but after I had taken the sketch into the studio - She said she would see it later when I brought it into the house –

At this moment Hank came – he showed me a couple points about the electric saw that had had me puzzled. Then we went in the house – and with some difficulty hung two pictures (the Swamp-fire in March in my room and the Dusty Road in July in the west back-room).

By this time I was so tired I felt I could hardly stand up. But a hot bath soon put me right –

Both Bertha and Hank were enthusiastic about the sketch.

Evening Edna Lindemann called on the phone. She reported that things were finally “moving” forward in regard to the show of my work at the new fine arts building (next April).  She had been over talking to Gordon Smith at the Albright-Knox, and also Bob Westfall both of whom she said were cordial and eager to help. She has two men lined up to handle the requests for loans and also other work. We agreed on next Thursday evening as a preliminary meeting.

Evening music – The Sibelius Third, and Karelia Suite.

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, October 20, 1962