This virtual tour is our crown jewel to share with the world. The time and research that went into our historic “Then and Now” comparison literally took years in the making. It’s something that couldn’t be achieved from a few simple observations. We had to fully immerse ourselves into the structures, angles, and layout of the property to see them as they once were. The most critical component for us was the ability to experience summer, spring, fall and winter on the 33 by 450-foot property just like Charles Burchfield did for 37 years allowing you to see his paintings transformed in real time.
For us, the past few years have been a true adventure of a life time. We would even go as far to describe it as a real-life treasure hunt. Upon discovering a new painting’s subject matter, the satisfaction of being the only two people in the world now knowing the exact origins of one of his works was as if we could travel back in time and see through Burchfield’s eyes as he once had. Our virtual tour begins in the front yard and down the driveway to the back of the Burchfield home. We then enter into the kitchen through the dining room, living room, and up the staircase. We continue our climb to the second floor where the bedrooms begin and move our way to the back. Heading down the stairs and back outside, we will make our way to the opposite side of the house and then to the front yard. Now, behind the home near the no longer existing one car garage we inch our way closer to the famous art studio. We now enter the studio and work our way through the custom-made structure. Moving past the studio, we visit a tool shed that later on gets attached to the rear of the art studio to create more space. From this vantage point, you will embrace the tremendous views of St. John’s steeple. The tour will conclude in the rear of the yard where the painting “December Storm” was created along with many other famous pieces. We hope you enjoy the tour as much as we did creating it.
POV: Standing in the driveway looking towards Clinton Street. Notice the symbol in the large tree. The windows are no longer there.
Journal entry: Don't let anyone kid you about the title- after all, why not Sea Shells, or Sun Glare or Sun Shimmer of what have you? What's in a name? - Charles E. Burchfield, June 21, 1946
POV: Looking out from Burchfield's driveway towards Clinton Street. Bengert's garage is on the right that no longer exists. Take note of the small pine tree in the Albarella's yard which will appear in more paintings.
Journal Entry: A cold rainy day with some wind from the S.W. I had planned to put the "Backyard in November" frame and ship it to Budworth, but I was unsuccessful in cutting a glass I had, and was unable to obtain glass at the city line, so I gave up,-P.M. a sketch of our drive, sheltering myself in the garage. The effect was similar to "Driveway in Winter" which I did two years ago, except this one is more lyrical, and may turn out to be better. - Charles E. Burchfield, February 28, 1948
The sun is gaining in power by leaps and bounds. This morning it blazed brilliantly thru the heavily frosted window with tremendous force, it had the feeling of spring. The other day, starting with Dec. 21, and working in opposite directions in time, I placed opposite each other, the corresponding spots in their distance from the sun. Thus today is equivalent in the slant of the sun's rays, to Nov. 2 - And yet, what a different quality to the sunlight; now it is powerful, waxing and expanding, and in November, it is fading and waning. It cannot be just a state of mind. I am sure if after a period of oblivion, I should suddenly be set down on a sunny day in February (even if there were no snow,) I would know What season it was.
P.M. - water color of shadow of house & garage on snow - at the end, I realized I had overdone the shadow - B - to Buffalo shopping - Evening - B & I to Seneca to see "San Antonio" - a typical "Horse Opera" in color - It is very difficult to achieve any sort of distinction with color photography - it has the look of a postcard.
Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, February 8, 1946
POV: Looking out from Burchfield's driveway towards Clinton Street. Bengert's garage on the right no longer exists. Notice the reflection of trees in the puddles.
Journal Entry: Afternoon- mild "softening" of the weather - when the thermometer showed 38, I decided to make an outdoor painting. The view from between ours and Albarella's garage -- our thermometer must read a few degrees too high for soon my paint began to freeze. So, I set up the oil stove again. Then a fine snow commenced to fall, and I countered with the big umbrella all afternoon. - Charles E. Burchfield, February 11, 1948.
POV: Looking out from Burchfield's driveway towards Clinton St. Bengert's garage on the right no longer exists.
POV: Looking out from Burchfield's front driveway. The Miller's house is visible and the original church has been taken down. Notice the large tree on the right still exists.
POV: Looking out from Burchfield's driveway. The Miller's house is on the left and the front of Albarella's house is on the right. St. John's church is viewable. Notice the Christmas tree in the Albarella's window.
Journal Entry: All day on the "Star Pierces the Clouds" picture -it is one of the complicated pieces of lighting I have ever attempted combining as it does exaggerated star-light, house-lights, the winter after-glow and the warm lights of the city on the lower sides of clouds. With the star-light to overpower the others. I felt like "wading in" rough shod and brought the pictured forward quite a bit. I still cannot judge its problems. Evening- B and I rummy, tho we felt we ought to be doing cards. - Charles E. Burchfield, December 18, 1947.
POV: Standing in Burchfield's front drive, looking towards Clinton Street and the Miller's house which is in front of the Abarella's. Notice the small pine tree that was referenced in a previous painting.
POV: Looking out from Burchfield's driveway. Notice Burchfield's fence in front. The Miller's house is on the left and the Albarella's is on the right. Take note of the Christmas tree in the Albarella's home again.
Journal Entry: Sketches of Venus across Bengert's, Miller's & Hess's, for a Christmas night picture- 12:30 - Broadcast of Roosevelt's call for war declaration on Japan - P.M. B&I to Buffalo; later Cathie in on a bus to buy her clothes for Christmas. - Charles E. Burchfield, December 8, 1941.
POV: Front corner of Bengert's garage that no longer exists next to the Burchfield home. The side entrance of Albarella's home is visible.
Journal Entry:The first really big snow-storm – light fluffy snow that clung in heavy masses on everything it touched (on the trash-burner it looked like enormous puff-ball or marshmallow). After breakfast I ran the car out a couple of times (with no difficulty) so as to have the drive open. As the morning progressed the snow became thicker and heavier and I gave up the idea of keeping the drive open. Bertha and I had our usual argument as to who would suffer the most from sweeping or shoveling –To the studio -Charles E. Burchfield, December 30, 1961
*Last sold for $33,460 in 2002*
POV: Front corner of Bengert's garage that no longer exists next to the Burchfield home. Notice the fence post is "Burchfield Blue" which is a custom color and common theme throughout his paintings.
POV: Flowers on the side of the Bengert's garage next to Burchfield's house.
POV: Back of Bengert's garage and Albarella's house. Notice the chimney in both images to gain your bearings.
*Last sold for $68,750 in 2019*
POV: The Abarella's chicken coop behind Bengert's garage. The corner of Bengert's garage is visible on the left. Notice the Albarella's grape vines covered in snow.
Journal Entry: Cold - close to zero. A "breath-taking" morning - the trees covered with heavy frost - The crystals reflecting in beautiful colored stars that winked off and on as one walked along. Even the distant trees sparkled as brilliantly as those near at hand. In studio all day. The sun brilliant all day - rich dark blue violet shadows on the snow - icicles on our house reflecting sun brilliantly and dripping a thrill on anticipation. - Charles E. Burchfield, February 5, 1948
POV: Corner of Albarella's chicken coop and back yard. The houses of Kron Avenue are in the back.
POV: One of Burchfield’s most famous paintings. It was instantly recognizable in homes across New York State in 1972 when the painting appeared on the cover of 11.4 million New York telephone phone books. Two Western New York locations served as inspiration for the work—the one shown here is the back of his next door neighbor’s house, Albarella's, in Gardenville. The row of houses was inspired by a block of old homes on William Street. (Charles E. Burchfield Archives/James J. Vullo photo)
POV: View from kitchen door to living room. This entrance is no longer there. During his lifetime, Burchfield permitted the reproduction of fourteen of his paintings as Christmas cards. This is one of those original Christmas Cards sent out and signed by Charles and his wife Bertha.
POV: Standing in the sitting area and looking into the dining room and living room. Notice the original flooring.
POV: Looking out the dining room window to Clinton Street. The Cottrell's driveway, mailbox and front yard is visible. Original window is still present.
Journal Entry: The oak-leaf—I don’t know when I first noticed the oak leaf in Cottrell’s yard—but I think it was during a snowstorm in early November—Somehow it landed in such a way that it stands upright, about midway between the spruce tree outside our window and the chestnut tree—Repeated gales and snows have failed to dislodge it, there it stands, a dark sienna imp-like thing defying the elements to move it. It has become a symbol to me—a friendly little creature that tells me to likewise stand firm and hold on, through all the moments of despair and doubt—I think of it as a little friend—I look for it in the morning, and watch it from time to time during the day. During a gale it leans this way and that, but after it is all over, there it stands erect, immovable, a symbol of hope and courage—On sunny days it is a light sienna, on gray days a dark sepia. - Charles E. Burchfield, December 22, 1957
POV: Looking from the dining room to the living room. Notice the custom wooden wall partitions as you will see this in the upcoming paintings.
POV: Standing in the living room looking to the side windows towards the Cottrell's.
Journal entry: "Christmas is truly of season of “let-down” and expansion. One perforce abandons all critical faculty, and enjoys anything that is passable. If it expresses the one thought of good-will, it seems surpassing good. Thus Bertha & I came out at the end of “The Christmas Carol” with streaming eyes and choked voices, feeling that we should buy gifts for everyone in sight. So therefore it was a good movie, for wasn't that its intended effect on the audience? Yet the critic of “Time” tells us that it is a wretchedly bad movie from beginning to end. Perhaps so, if it is viewed a week before, or a week after Christmas, but as Christmas fare, it is just right." Charles E. Burchfield, December 27, 1938
POV: Looking towards the front of the house. Notice the wall partition.
Journal Entry: Cold – sunny – scarcely a trace of snow – to city line for green vegetables and a ball-point pen for Bertha – All day on decorations – setting up tree, etc. –Mid – P.M. – telephone call from Sally that she & Red & baby were getting a ride as far as Batavia, and would be able to spend [part] of Christmas day with us. Evening- Mart & Hank down – trimming tree. Lunch – (brown bread cream cheese spread & coffee etc.) C & A to station to meet Sally – talk until after two. Baby put in “davenport-pen” – showed no signs of being tired – laugh and played the whole time. - Charles E. Burchfield December 24, 1947
POV: Front corner of the house.
POV: Looking out the front window of the sun room.
POV: Looking out the windows of the living room towards the Cottrell's. Portrait of Charles Burchfield's wife, Bertha.
Journal Entry: One of the happiest "moments" of my life is when I hear Bertha singing hymns while at work in the kitchen or when getting dressed to go out somewhere. - Charles E. Burchfield, October 31, 1960.
POV: Staircase has been rearranged but the original 3 panel window is still intact. Take note of St. John's steeple in the window. Each of Burchfield's children posed for a portrait during the 1930s. This painting of Arthur shows him reading a book - to help keep him still - while other favorite toys sit at his feet in the family's home on Clinton Street in Gardenville, West Seneca.
POV: Looking out the second floor stair case window. Featured, the roof of Bengert's garage, back of Albarella's home and Kron Avenue in the way back.
Journal Entry: P.M. A painting, from our stair-landing, of the view across Bengert’s garage. All afternoon – I was indeed “rusty” from my long idleness — It was hard to get started, and it was not until the last that anything like boldness or freedom came to me. The finished sketch had enough in it to make me feel good. This I hope marks the end of my “doldrums,” with its enervating nostalgia for the old days of my youth. Several times in the last few weeks I had been tempted to “throw in the towel” and give over this winter to going over my 1917-18-20 sketches, mounting the etc. This, I thought would be easier, under the war-cloud, to do than try to do creative work of the present. Easier, but affording little satisfaction. So it was in a mood of desperation that I set out to paint today. - Charles E. Burchfield, January 18, 1943
*Painting last sold for $380,000 in 2021*
POV: Looking out the staircase window to the front of Miller's house and Clinton Street. Take note of the small pine tree.
Journal Entry: P.M. Sketch from the studio ‘porch’ – shortly after I had started, the wind increased bringing snow with it. I protected myself by setting up a big box at the west end and tacking above it a large sheet of corrugated board. The snow became so thick and so clogged up my paint box that I had to stop – but not before I had hurriedly set down the main points. It made a fine composition of areas and angles.” He continued writing on January 30, “P.M. Painting from my south bedroom window of view towards Millers: the sun from the south projecting its powerful rays into the northern winter. - Charles E. Burchfield, January 21, 1948.
POV: Looking out the second floor of Burchfield's front bedroom window onto Clinton Street and Buffalo creek.
*Last sold for $100,000 in 2015*
POV: Looking out the side window of Burchfield's bedroom over the Cottrell's front yard, Clinton Street and Buffalo creek.
Journal Entry: A path grows more interesting in August; more worn and used-looking, and the bleached grasses fringing its borders give it an ancient look.
Evening – with children up to the dam and beyond on other side of creek. Half-grown boys and one or two men swimming and diving by the dam. In what is ordinarily a little bay off the stream (now dry with white mud-covered pebbles, jig-saw puzzle flakes of mud, and a host of dead snails) the children find a giant fallen poplar tree which delights them.
Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, August 11, 1933
POV: Looking out the side window of Burchfield's front bedroom over the Cottrell's front yard, Clinton Street and Buffalo creek.
POV: View from second floor side window of Burchfield's bedroom to Cottrell's yard and Clinton Street.
POV: View from the second floor side window into the front yard of the Cottrell’s and the Smedja's home (green tile roof).
Journal Entry: To early service. Letter to Leona Prasse about the show next fall. Lie in bed and listen to N.B.C. concert. For a short walk. How pleasant and heart-warming it is to walk through the village and see all the trees I know and love so much – each one individual and like an old friend. Cards and radio. Evening – Marcus & Betty* in for a visit on their way home from the Students Show at the Art Institute. - Charles E. Burchfield, February 8, 1953
POV: Looking out the back window of the second floor bedroom. The Cottrell’s house is on the right. Burchfield's small shed behind the house is viewable along with the studio in the back.
Journal Entry: March 22, 1937: A clear brisk day — worked all afternoon on the view from B’s bedroom, and brought it along pretty well to completion — Saw my first robin in the morning —
March 23, 1937: Do some work in the morning on the sketch —P.M. B & I to Buffalo. - Charles E. Burchfield, March 22-23, 1937
POV: Looking out the back windows of the house over Burchfield's one car garage. Krone Avenue homes are in the back.
POV: Looking out the second floor windows onto Bengert's garage and the Albarella home. Krone Avenue homes are in the back.
POV: Back corner of the Burchfield house looking towards the Albarella's and the Millers. Notice the second floor of the home used to hang over a bit.
POV: Standing directly behind the house viewing Burchfield's shed and the Cottrell's house.
*Last sold for $116,000 in 2000*
POV: Side of Burchfield's home looking towards Clinton Street. Those two windows are the same windows in the dining room and seen in "Constant Leaf". The Cottrell's house is to the left.
POV: Burchfield's white picket fence and looking towards the Cottrell's front yard.
Journal Entry: In the front yard, the white picket fence with the red, yellow, and white chrysanthemums, and the rich red orange maple tree in Cottrell’s yard, with our maple above and in front still a rich green. - Charles E. Burchfield, October 4, 1962.
POV: Front yard of the Cottrell's house.
*Last sold for $36,800 in 1999*
POV: Back corner of the one car garage.
Journal Entry: Cold, dark, raining – A fairly brisk wind from the N. N.E. – Leaves constantly falling – In the studio, working on various pictures – each one seems to need something – Made the largest box (51 x 56) In the mail letter from Irene Hofeld expressing pleasure in my work – she enclosed a clipping of a critical review of the opening of the Johnson Collection at Milwaukee “Orion in Winter” was reproduced. The writer referred to me as “one of the fine old men of American Art”! In commenting on that Miss Hofeldsaid, “you are too much aware of life to be called old.” A letter from C. Broemel, who enclosing a clipping from the C.S. Monitor – They also reproduced the “Orion in Winter”. Evening music – Beethoven’s 7th Symphony, Sibelius Fifth + the Karelia Suite. So many people have been wanting to come to the studio. It has grown to be a depressant worry to me – Tonight when I went upstairs to kiss Bertha goodnight and mentioned it, she expressed a firm conviction we should have no one come – how understanding she is! - Charles E. Burchfield, September 27, 1962
*Last sold for $8,000 in 2015*
POV: Corner of Burchfield's one car garage that is no longer there and Kron Avenue homes in the back.
POV: Corner of garage and front of studio. Orchard Avenue is towards the back.
POV: Corner of Burchfield's one car garage. The Albarella's grape vines are the focal point with their house in the back. Take note of St. John's steeple and the "Burchfield Blue" fence post.
POV: Back end of Albarella's house and the steeple of St. John's Church.
POV: Back of Burchfield's one car garage (left), Bengert's garage and Albarella's house and chicken coop (right).
*Last sold for $93,750 in 2020*
POV: Backyard of the Albarella's and chicken coop looking towards Clinton Street.
POV: Backyard of the Albarella's chicken coop.
*Last sold for $175,000*
POV: The Albarella's backyard and chicken coop and the fence that divided the two properties.
POV: View from the studio looking at the back of Burchfield's house. The one car garage and the small shed are no longer there. Take note of the multiple gardens.
POV: View from the studio looking at the back of the house during a blizzard. Burchfield's one car garage and Bengert's garage are viewable.
Journal Entry: Blizzard from the Northeast. Snow fine, and like heavy sand. Much had fallen in the night, and all day it kept coming down, driven by a strong wind.
In the late afternoon, as twilight was closing in, a large flock of crows, spread out in a long scattered formation,cameout of the south, heading due north. They passed directly over our house. They had great difficulty making headway against the wind, sometimes hanging motionless, or even allowing themselves to be swept backwards. Scattered as they were, and flying in complete independence of each other, and in such varied positions, they seemed like great black leaves falling from the sky. So black were they, in spite of the haze caused by the snow, that the space
immediately around them seemed luminous and much lighter than it really was, the effect being like the alternate flashing of black & white. They flew in profound silence which added an eerie quality to the event.
Gradually they pressed on to the illimitable northern sky, and were swallowed up in the gray void. The struggle of these harsh creatures against the harsher elements of the storm, impressed me as being unutterably bleak and sinister. - Charles E. Burchfield, January 30, 1939
POV: View from the studio with the poppies directly in front of the studio porch. The back of the home and one car garage are viewable.
POV: Standing in front of the studio and looking at properties nextdoor. First home in yellow is the Cottrell's. The Smedja's are in the house with the green tile roof.
POV: Standing in front of the studio and looking at properties next door. First home in white is the Cottrell's. The Smedja's are in the house with the green tile roof. Notice the privacy fence which was connected to the studio.
POV: Standing in front of the studio and looking at properties next door. First home is the Cottrell's. The Smedja's are in the house with the green tile roof. Notice the privacy fence which was connected to the studio.
POV: Front of the studio is located to the left. The Cottrell's garage with the two windows and the Smedja's green tile roof are visible. Notice the privacy fence again.
POV: Front of the studio.
Journal Entry: A clear warm day – Weeding gardens and cutting out the overhanging branches of the mock-orange bush west of studio. P.M. over at Mart’s – playing with Peggy & Tommy. Evening to Cinema to see two English Pictures – “Brother Jonathan” & “A Girl in a Million” – both excellent – the former a serious piece about doctors & the other a light comedy. -Charles E. Burchfield, July 7, 1951
POV: Front of studio is on the right. Kron Avenue homes are to the left.
POV: View from the studio porch looking out towards the backyard of the house.
“It is raining – how truly divine is such an event in June – everything bespeaks the presence of God.
For a while, it is pleasant to just sit in the studio, with the window open, and listen to the falling rain. After a while, it seemed urgent to get closer to it, so I went out and sat down on the foot-mat on my door stoop. Here I was protected by the little porch, yet it seemed as if I were actually in the rain. I was amused to see how, here and there, grass blades were hit squarely by raindrops, flattened by the blow, and springing back quickly.
Slowly the beauty of the young cannas, seen thru the porch railing forced itself upon me, and without having planned it, I was soon at work on them, not ceasing until after five.”
Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, June 17, 1937
POV: Looking out the front door of the studio. Notice the reflection in the window of the door The original door is in the basement in the home.
POV: Inside the studio with the front door shut. The back of the Albarella's chicken coop is visible.
Journal Entry: P.M. - walk up along the creek for pussy-willows -Altho sunny, it is more wintry than I had expected -Large slabs of ice from the recent thaw piled in great confusion in the secondary creek-bed - footprints showed me that others had been able to cross it, and so I ventured onto it, and with only slip managed to get to more solid land near the main stream - it was good to be tramping about in the snow. I got a few sprays of pussy willows — but they had not started pith at all, as they had last year at this time -Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, February 10, 1954
POV: Inside the studio looking out the front door. Peep the Albarella's chicken coop.
I had a dream last night and got a glimpse of that strange world that seems a memory of
childhood’s impressions partly, and partly something that I never have experienced. I have had many such lately; there is a glamor about them that makes them seem much more desirable than real life, an agonizing feeling that they represent a world that I can never hope to find.
Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, June 29, 1929
POV: Inside the studio looking out the front window. The back of Burchfield's house is visible. Burchfield later covered this window with shelving units.
POV: Side windows of the studio looking to the Cottrell's garage and house. Notice the skylight above.
Journal Entry: To taxidermist’s for crow. Mine he had fixed in a “cawing” position—wings lightly spread, mouth open. He had some other crows there that had been ordered and never called for. I bought two more—one sitting,—,& one with wings fully spread. Take them to studio—they look fine there and add an atmosphere that I love. The cat, which was by the fire, was terror-stricken at the sight of the birds" - Charles Burchfield, April 9, 1932
*Last sold for $46,000 in 1999*
POV: Back of the studio and side of the shed. Burchfield later had this shed attached to the studio for more room to make his picture frames. Notice the custom made 6-panel skylight dormer.
POV: Back of the studio. The structure on the left is the shed that is no longer there. Notice the windows inside of the studio which is the view point of "Winter Bouquet".
Journal Entry: Working in studio – studying the large cartoon for “Robin’s Song at Twilight”. It looked good to me, & I plan tomakea slightly reduced drawing of it to work on. B & I selecting pictures for the Indianapolis trip – Late P.M. Food shopping – Beautiful gray & white world of winter. -Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, February 8, 1954
"P.M. sketch of view showing gable end of studio, our house & fence-row – brilliant October sunlight emotion." - Charles Burchfield, October 29, 1949
*Last sold for $84,000 in 2004*
POV: Back of the studio with the skylight.
Journal Entry: Mild and misty again — so I painted the wild geese episode I saw Thursday. All nature seems glorious to me again, and my relation to my work more normal – Up until now there have still been, in the inner recesses of my mind, ripples from the retrospective — Charles E. Burchfield, October 20, 1956
POV: Back of the studio and Burchfield house.
Journal Entry: In studio studying pictures, and (later) reading in my journal of 1925 to 30—One should never cease keeping a journal. How invaluable to me now, with the present turmoil and disaster in the world, are my thoughts of those days—They bring me back to sanity; —and will provide the connecting link between one period of peace [and] another. - Charles Burchfield, January 3, 1941
*Last sold for $6,600 in 2007*
POV: Back of the studio and the Cottrell's garage.
POV: Back of the studio, Cottrell's garage and Smedja's house.
*Last sold for $98,500 in 2015*
POV: Side of the studio and the Cottrell's house. Notice that Burchfield's house is visible in the back right.
POV: Back right corner of the studio looking into the Albarella's backyard and St. John's steeple. Notice the start of the walking path.
POV: Back corner of the studio and St. John's church. Notice the "Burchfield blue" fence post which you will see close up in the next slide.
POV: These are the fence posts on Burchfield's property bordering the Albarella's. Kron Avenue homes are visible. Take note of the yellow home in the back right as you will see this in the next sketch.
Journal Entry: A.M. Finished work on water color I started yesterday - a view looking past the corner of the studio to McLeod’s. My first outdoor sketch in 7 or 8 weeks. Life seems worth living again. Check from Rehnin the morning mail. P.M. B & I to Buffalo to deposit check and do a little shopping. Very hot & stifling. Late afternoon - take a blanket and lie in the deep grass on the brow of the creek bank across the street. It is pleasant here - the late afternoon cars zipping past only seem to accentuate the peace of the stream and the meadows before me, lying so calm and bright in the afternoon sunlight. Swallows are skimming up and down over the surface of the water. Once a great dragon-fly sailed past in lazy zig-zagflight. The odor of the crushed grass under me was pleasant. Evening- to an informal call on McLeod’s. Later - A walk in the backyard - a deep sense of things growing powerfully - a cool damp wind from the east. - Charles Burchfield, June 16, 1937
*Last sold for $5,460 in 2015*
POV: Standing in Burchfield's backyard and sketching houses on Kron Avenue.
POV: Behind the studio, Burchfield's shed and backyard. Orchard Avenue is visible in the back. We were told that the rear command outbuilding was used by the Lankes family, JJ as a print studio, family as a chicken coop and dairy (Burtold) out building. (30 Kron Avenue).
POV: Inside Burchfield's tool shed that was shown in the previous slide.
POV: Side of the shed behind the studio that no longer exists.
POV: Burchfield's shed.
*Last sold for $60,480 in 2021*
POV: Backyard of the Cottrell's carriage house and the Smedja's (green tile roof). Take note of the willow tree to the left.
Journal Entry: A.M. Letter from Moe asking for an appraisal of Nora Lee Rohr & her project (a survey of art criticism past & present). Also an added remark: “I warn you I will ask you to serve on the jury again this year”— A mild morning, with vague misty clouds in the sky—contrary to yesterday’s barren-ness I “see” pictures in every direction, full of significance. Such “awareness” is not indicative of a painting mood—it dissipates in all directions, but it is a glorious state of mind for pure enjoyment. About midmorning the sun came out clear, and I decided to work on odd jobs outdoors. It felt good to be “tinkering.” I had barely got started on a framework to pack leaves around the part of the house where our water-pipes are exposed to cold, when Donald Vettler came out to see me (he had stopped at the house.) I know who he was but could not recall his name. We went in the studio awhile & I showed him some of my recent things. Then we went into the house. Bertha meanwhile had started lunch & we persuaded him to stay. He was on his way home, & was intending to do the 750 miles non-stop—so wanted to get on his way. We enjoyed his visit. P.M. finished my job & fill it with leaves. A fine foreboding look to the sky—and all objects had deep Sepia black shadows under them. Balance of afternoon in studio, studying pictures etc. The melancholy twilight of November glowers in the windows. Evening B & I play rummy— Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, November 19, 1947. P.M. painting all afternoon of the "view" looking towards Cottrell's. Binkowski's framed in by our willow tree – It was a fine afternoon combining bright sunshine, clouds and finally rain, with a strong S.W. wind. Eventually it settled down to cloudiness, and it suited the mood of the picture best. Evening – tired and eyes aching, but we played rummy and listened to radio. Toscanini and Respighi’s orchestration of the Bach Passacaglia in C minor. - Charles E. Burchfield, November 22, 1947
*Last sold for $93,750 in 2016*
POV: Cottrell's chicken coop which will be seen in "December Storm".
POV: Burchfield's backyard looking towards Orchard Avenue. Notice the large willow tree which has been a focal point of the backyard for many decades. Also take note of J.J. Lankes command outbuilding.
*Last sold for $2,600 in 2015*
POV: Sketch of the shed looking towards the backyard. The willow tree is present.
POV: Backyard of the Albarella's and St. John's church.
POV: Looking into the backyard of the Albarella's and St. John's church.
POV: Standing in the backyard of the Albarella's looking at St. John's Church. Take note of the second steeple behind the church which is Fourteen Holy Helpers.
POV: Standing in Burchfield's back yard and viewing the houses on Clinton Street including St. John's Church.
Journal Entry: All of us to church (we are 4 again) A glorious sunshiny day - P.M. Cathie's friend Isabel Steffen out - Charles E. Burchfield, January 6, 1946
*Last sold for $730,000 in 2015*
POV: St. John's Church
*Last sold for $511,750 in 2000*
POV: St. John's Church
Journal Entry: This morning on a stroll in the back lot back of the studio – I was struck with the ravishing beauty of Albarella’s back lot – Never has it been as varied as it is this year – a luxuriant growth of blue chicory, fleabane, milkweed, queen anne’s lace, evening primrose, wild sweet pea – I am in great concern that they might take a sudden notion to have it all cut down and want to be on the lookout to ask them not to. –Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, July 12, 1962
*Last sold for $134,500 in 2012*
POV: St. John's Church
Journal Entry: Another sunny day – drier air – in the shadow of trees, a pleasant cool breeze – a.m. – Bertha + I food shopping – Stopped at Schaffer’s for red raspberries (she had called up yesterday saying they were ready - ) In studio, working on “The Sun and Queen Anne’s Lace” and “Summer Peace”. Almost noon Tom called wanting to come over to do some work – I told Bertha to let him come, that I would find something as he is so anxious to work – When he came I set him to weeding a couple of the gardens, later on he sawed a number of dead limbs out of the apple trees – I admired the way he went at it, climbing the trees and balancing himself on limbs with his feet, and sawing vigorously – Later when he was cutting down some burdocks in the back of the lot, Mrs. Hackford came to the fence and asked whether it would be alright if Mr. Montgomery who was going to paint the fence pulled some of the bushes and vines away so he could paint more freely – Of course I had to say yes, althoI remembered how when he put the fence in, he trampled everything down near the fence. About mid-afternoon Hank came over on a motorcycle he had borrowed, to fix the lawn-mower – he took our car to take the mower over to the “shop” to work on it – Referring to his (obvious) delight in the motorcycle, he said he was reverting to his boyhood. Good that he can feel thus! By four o’clock, I had the two pictures pretty well solved, and brought them into the house. About this time Tom announced he was going home as he was going to work at a fair being held by the Queen of Heaven Church – When Bertha twitted him, for working at a Catholic affair, he being a Lutheran boy, he took her seriously, and said “Oh gee, what difference does that make?” Then he realized she was joking and grinned sheepishly. He said he was being paid with chicken and soft drinks. Evening music – Mozart Quartet no. 20, and Dvorak Symphony no. 1 again. This afternoon, searching for a book to read to divert my mind so as to see the painting problems I was involved in, more detachedly, I chanced upon Yeats, Dramatic Poems, vol. 2 – and was delighted (and surprised) to find that the first one I read in, “Countess Cathleen” still had a lot of charm and beauty for me after so many years (I read these poems eagerly in Art School) – So often it is disappointing to pick up a work of art that charms us in youth, and read it later in life. - Charles E. Burchfield, July 14, 1962
*Last sold for $162,500 in 2018*
POV: St. John's Church. Take note of the second steeple behind the church which is Fourteen Holy Helpers.
POV: St. John's Church and Kron Avenue homes.
POV: St. John's Church and white house on Kron Avenue. Take note of the second steeple behind the church which is Fourteen Holy Helpers.
Journal Entry: AM – Letters from Louise & Mrs. Ellers.
P.M – in studio making drawings on the new portion of “Cicada Woods”– it begins to grow in interest & power– I am getting excited about it.
Evening — Mart & Hank, Peggy & David in for a visit– Mart brought along two of her recent watercolors— both very good– one showing a new trend in her subject matter the other one she had thought “hopeless” and did not finish but we disagreed with her- a minor charge, and it will be a good one–
Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, August 7th, 1961
*Last sold for $663,000 in 2018*
POV: St. John's church and Kron Avenue homes.
POV: Looking towards Kron Avenue. This is a preliminary study/drawing for the previous painting, "Cobwebs in Autumn".
POV: Back of St. John's Church to the left. Kron Avenue homes on the right.
POV: St. John's Church and Kron Avenue homes. Take note of the second steeple behind the church which is Fourteen Holy Helpers.
POV: Steeple of St. John's Church to the right.
POV: St. John's Church.
*Last sold for $490,000 in 2015*
POV: St. John's Church.
POV: St. John's Church.
POV: St. John's Church.
POV: St. John's Church.
POV: St. John's Church to the right. Take note of the second steeple behind the church which is Fourteen Holy Helpers.
POV: St. John's Church. Take note of the second steeple behind the church which is Fourteen Holy Helpers.
POV: Standing in Burchfield's backyard. St. John's Church is to the left.
POV: Back of the Albarella's house.
POV: Standing in Burchfield's backyard viewing the Albarella's backyard. Take note of the walking path that was referenced earlier.
Journal Entry: In pursuit this year of the dried-bean mood. It seems to be coming nearer – this is the season – late September or early October – everything drying up – perhaps there has been a frost & the morning sun has come up clear and strong in a deep blue sky. Dried bean pods bleached a pale ivory white in contrast to the blackish green withered leaves – the boy slits open a pod – out roll beautiful maroon mottled beans or black-eyed ones – he loves them; loves to feel them, and puts them in his pockets to take home and add to his treasures – But where was it? In a field out in the country? – or in our garden at home? - Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, October 6, 1954
POV: Standing in Burchfield's backyard viewing the back of the Albarella's. The studio is visible to the left along with the willow tree.
POV: Burchfield's backyard looking towards Kron Avenue.
POV: Standing in Burchfield's backyard viewing Kron Avenue.
*Last sold for $43,750 in 2010*
POV: Standing in Burchfield's backyard viewing Kron Avenue.
POV: Burchfield's backyard looking towards Kron Avenue.
POV: Burchfield's backyard looking towards Kron Avenue.
POV: The fence in Burchfield's backyard looking towards Orchard Avenue. Notice the small wired in garden which will be in full bloom on the next slide.
*Last sold for $78,000 in 2006*
POV: Burchfield's backyard, wired in garden and walking path.
*Last sold for $15,000 in 2001*
POV: Burchfield's backyard looking towards Kron Avenue. A part of the willow tree is to the right.
POV: Burchfield's backyard facing Kron Avenue.
Journal Entry: Partly cloudy and muggy. P.M. - A hasty sketch from the back of our lot (back of the pavilion) looking S.W. - Done to work out the heat-wave mirage idea, which I want to include in the "Drought Sun" picture. Tired and not mentally alert. I heard my neighbors to the east chattering and fussing in their garden, and I imagined them watching me with puzzlement (I doubt if they really knew I was there!) Charles. E. Burchfield, Journals August 2, 1952.
POV: Standing in the back of the property overlooking the back of the studio, home and the Albarella's.
Journal Entry: Two days ago, the sun, for the first time this winter, gave promise of the power and splendor it will have later in the season. A blinding glare in the watery pale blue southern sky, it sent forth enough heat to melt the surface of the snow in little waved recess, althothe day was bitterly cold. To the yearning imagination, this may be called the first hint of spring. Sparrow hawk at corner of garage. - Charles E. Burchfield, January 15, 1945
POV: Standing in the back of the Burchfield property and viewing the Albarella's house on the left and St. John's Church on the right.
Journal Entry: A warm sunny day – most of the snow gone. P.M. Sketch of view across Bengert’s to the S.W. The sun a pale white glow in a misty, ever-changing sky –Everything seemed full of goodness & interest again – and my feeling about our village as it should be – i.e. – As of a north country with the December sun low in the south –Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, December 11, 1940
POV: Standing in the back, looking down the property line into the backyards of the Albarella's and neighboring properties.
POV: Standing at the furthest point of the Burchfield property. Notice the house with the green tile roof all the way to the left and the Burchfield home all the way to the right. Take note of the red chicken coop that was shown in a previous painting. Also, J.J. Lankes command outbuilding is the closest in perspective.
Journal Entry: Dec. 6 — (Sat.) A strong wind from the west — driving great massive clouds before it. Up at north end of lot — The sun breaking thru at times, sending down shafts of light — (reminding me of the time long ago, when in the same month, I observed this phenomenon from the window of the art school, and compared it to a great rim-less wheel, revolving hugely thru the great black storm sky) (continued on next slide)
Journal Entry Continued— One can imagine Ezekiel, eyeing this same effect, over-awed by its power and majesty — Hastily gathering my materials I started to paint — using as my foil, or foreground, a view of Cottrells and Smedja’s houses, and all their backyard buildings. Painted all day with vigor and forcefulness — at times snow fell, and towards the last, my sponge & water froze. What unalloyed happiness there is in working under such conditions! — “Battling the elements,” — the painting takes on a character it could not have under milder conditions. Dec. 7 —A fine sunset — the sun sinking behind long bars of golden clouds — it appeared as a huge elongated oval of blinding light; then again, as a series of such bars, quivering & swelling and contracting — At Fredonia, Venus above the houses with a beautiful halo of light around it. The meeting both boring & tiring — A flippancy and utter lack of taste in the manner in which the toast-master introduced his speakers — Cathie’s & Sally’s playing (Berceuses fr.Jocyln) & Rev. Neeb’s speech only redeeming features. Afterwards, the moon high in the sky — a ring around it. —Charles E. Burchfield, December 6-7, 1941
-1921 – Moved to Buffalo.
-April 1925 – Moved to 3574 Clinton St. West Seneca, NY.
-September 1928 – Built studio.
-January/February 1929 – Frank K. M. Rehn Galleries, New York, NY begins to represent him.
-August 1, 1929 – Quit working at M.H. Birge & Sons Company (wallpaper company).
-Summer 1930 – Moved studio on concrete foundation farther back in lot.
-1959/60 – Made repairs and alterations to the house, garage, studio and yard. Attached additional room and storage shed to the studio.
-January 10, 1967 – Burchfield passed away.
-August 1970 – Bertha Burchfield sold the home & studio to the nextdoor neighbors, Albarella’s.