Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

Growing, gathering, and weaving with plant fibers from the Pacific Northwest

2011 Greetings

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From dawn…
to dusk….Greetings to you from Indianola – 2011.

 

Looking back on 2010, I am grateful to all those who have supported my work: by inviting me as an Artist-in-Residence to teach or give presentations; to those who have provided grants, technology and talent for filming my teacher Ed Carriere; to those who have purchased my baskets; to those who have commissioned me to create art pieces. I am ever grateful to my teachers, fellow artisans, family, friends and students…who constantly are encouraging, challenging and inspiring!

The community completes the artist! 

About Melinda

Forty years ago, while sitting on the beach playing with my young children, I made my first basket out of a pile of willow trimmings someone had tossed there. It looked wildly made like a crazy bird’s nest. While being together with my two sons on a beautiful Pacific Northwest shoreline, this simple experience of crafting with the natural materials at hand kindled a passion for creating forms using plant fibers. I thank my family, my community, and all my teachers for cultivating this gift in me.
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Melinda West and basket, Indianola WA