Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, Vol. 36, November 8, 1925

A futile day full of bitter thoughts & unsuccessful attempts—
How I despise the Americans who prefer 18th century French landscapes to healthy American 20th century scenes — How I hate the architects who put themselves on the buck for making literal copies of English architecture—
The firm I work for contemplating a literal copy of a French landscape wall-paper, a venture that requires that I go to N.Y. and copy the color scheme—
How I despise those dealers that trade in “art objects” of the past forcing the artists of the day to do all manner of work that they should not do—
How I scorn & loathe myself because I cannot ignore these debasing influences in American art & paint with bold lusty disregard of their false & weak standards—paint the raw crude healthy aspects of nature that I love— Because they are the dominant power I must earn my own & my family’s daily bread doing work that is directly opposed to my ideals in art—but were I a really strong character I should struggle thru with a few great things in spite of everything—
Charles E. Burchfield, November 8, 1925