Out Painting.
[Although] it was the first day of the pleasant season, and around Gardenville, the numerous shots sounded like a battle going on, I was not bothered out in the country as much as I had feared. A quiet pleasant day.
I had determined upon a painting of corn-shocks, I knew from a previous trip that there were some on Bullis Rd. west of Marilla; but they seemed to close to home: I wanted the pleasure of a long drive in the country, to rid my mind of debris, and then find the shocks. So I headed South-east on 78, & thence eastward, but not one field of shocks did I find. So I was forced to return to the vicinity of Bullis Rd. after all.
Lunch on a road (Rt. 77) north of and overlooking the village of Bennington Center – It was pleasant sitting on the bare hill top in the warm sunshine – Due to the heavy early frosts, the usual October color was lacking, but the muted effects were just as interesting.
The cornfield on Bullis did not seem satisfactory so I explored on Eastwood Rd and found an ideal one. As it was so close to a house I thought it best to get permission from the owner – A kindly white-haired lady answered my ring – when I made my request she said “oh you must be Mr. Schwanekamp” – When I told her who I was, she said she had seen notices on the “News” about my work –
I had to work fast, as I had only about 9 ½ hours of the kind of sunlight I wanted. So I concentrated on getting the impression only. Counting on subsequent work in the studio to refine it.
Home at twilight – Bertha liked the sketch.
After supper, and a rest, I persuaded her to go to the Strand to see “Francis Joins the Circus” – Not up to the previous ones – A silly situation, and sometimes in bad taste. – But a few good spots in it.
When we returned home we were surprised to see a motorcycle parked in our drive – It turned out to be Bob Blair. We invited him for a visit – I showed him my three recent sketches.
Charles E. Burchfield, October 24, 1954