James Weeks, Visiting Artist Lecture 1970

James Weeks gives a lecture at Skowhegan where he shows a series of slides of his paintings and drawings. Weeks expands upon the importance of subject matter for an artist, and speaks about the subjects of his representational paintings. Weeks believes that–even by being a representational painter–he still has to learn to work with different subject matter. Weeks tells the students that he tries not to take himself or anyone else too seriously as an artist. Weeks urges the students to find a medium that works for them so they can push upon the possibilities of the material. Weeks shares an example of his shift from oil to acrylics, to explore both of these materials to their fullest potential. Weeks then shares his curiosity about painters working with tonality and range. He is curious about the relationship of these elements to light, especially interior light, as an exploration in his painting practice as well. Weeks ends his lecture by stating that his current subject matter is the Los Angeles landscape.