Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), Sundogs, started 1962; watercolor and conté crayon on paper, 49 3/4 X 57 3/4 inches; Image from the Burchfield Penney Art Center Archives
Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, November 1, 1963
Friday, Nov 1, 2019
Chilly with a stormy overcast sky – rain most of the night –
Flowers still blooming on, if diminishing in numbers and splendor – the longest we have ever gone without a killing frost.
Varied activities in the studio, the most important of which is the remounting and enlarging of “Sun Dogs” picture began a year ago – (from 45 x 51 – to 50 x 58) – after studying it carefully I decide the only thing worth saving was the sky; so in remounting I used all new paper except for that portion –
Today spent in sketching in the foreground charcoal, and filling out the added parts around the sky – it gains very much in power.
During this time I have tried without avail to get started on the autumn-winter transition (in reality a gateway to winter) – Part of my hesitancy is the fear of an initial failure; but today I thought of a possible solution – to start it on a larger mount than it is now, and so not be limited by the confinement of a definite size – I will transfer the cartoon to a large mount.
Yesterday afternoon a visit from a Mr. Rezler (East Cleve Gallery) and Miss Borsik (Plain Dealer) [Helen Borsick Cleveland Plain Dealer art critic] – (Inasmuch as she was taking notes, I assumed it was in the nature of an interview)
Yesterday; to the gallery for lunch, which is always a pleasant interlude –
All week I have been playing the new set of Hayden’s Paris Symphonies - some of his most beautiful and delightful music.
Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, November 1, 1963