Marilyn Weeks reflects on 40 years above Burlingame Avenue

“The scene of Burlingame Avenue has been with me like all my life, and when I would come here 40 years ago, all the stores were closed on Sunday, and there was nobody on the street,” she said. “I think it’s a beautiful street. I think it’s positive. It’s part of my work.”

Over the years in her studio space, Weeks has seen more everyday shops come and go, replaced with upscale brands. The avenue has become livelier, filled with visitors and restaurantgoers even on weekends, she said.

Her work, too, has changed — when she came into 1214 Burlingame Ave., her pieces were simpler, mostly drawings. Now, the studio is filled with colorful abstract paintings, some of which depict the street itself.

“Having the studio space, to have a space to work ... as time has gone on, you know, I felt more creative,” Weeks said.

Up until she retired in 2004, Weeks had another job, as a local art teacher at various schools, including Burlingame Intermediate School. It’s extremely difficult to have a full-time career as an artist without other financial avenues, she said.

“I think it’s very important to pursue the things that you really want, and stick to it in spite of all the obstacles that come in the way,” she said. “But managing financially with art is very difficult ... it requires a little bit of help.”

Postretirement, Weeks was able to throw herself into her work at the studio, connecting with other Burlingame artists and art shops on the Avenue like the Andre Norris Gallery and the Studio Shop.

Even though she’s leaving her space, Weeks is hopeful that other local Burlingame artists will receive more attention in the years to come.

“There are quite a few artists around tucked in here and there that you wouldn’t know, and it would be nice if, somehow, they could get more recognition,” she said.

Now, as she prepares to move her paintings out of the former dentist’s office that she converted into a studio, Weeks said she’s grateful for the decades spent above Burlingame Avenue.

“The longevity,” she said. “[I] just quietly come to work here for a very long time, observing what’s going on on the street. It’s been a wonderful experience, and it’s an ideal studio, and I’ve enjoyed it all.”