Charles BURCHFIELD (born April 9, 1893, Ashtabula, Ohio–died January 10, 1967, West Seneca, New York) was an American Painter best known for his watercolor landscapes. He attended the Cleveland School of Art and later moved to Buffalo, New York, where he became fascinated by Buffalo's streets, harbor, rail yards and surrounding countryside. It was here that Burchfield developed a more realistic art style, a foray into realism that would last for years. In 1929 Burchfield began to paint full-time. During this period he painted optimistic works that depicted an appreciation for American life. In 1936 Burchfield was declared as one of America's ten greatest painters.
Burchfield once stated, "An artist must paint not what he sees in nature, but what is there. To do so he must invent symbols, which, if properly used, make his work seem even more real than what is in front of him." He followed this artistic vision until the end of his life, creating some of his most mystical works.
