Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

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Welcome to My Blog

As a contemporary visual artist I've been exploring the traditional art of weaving with plant fibers since 1985. I gather materials respectfully, recycling bark off of trees that are being cut down, pruning selectively to encourage the growth and health of plants, and replanting at every opportunity. I enjoy sharing the lessons I've learned from my generous teachers.

Being a hands-on, low-tech type person, I will do my best to make weekly (or at least monthly) posts. I like writing about the making process, worthwhile community projects, and sharing practical ideas of what the seasons have to offer those who are longing to live creatively within the rhythms of the natural world.

Porch Papermaking With Food Plants – Cardoon and Kale

Spring is flying by and the garden requires my attention. Before I forget, here are a few more plant-fiber paper experiments to share.

Blog Categories

Monet's Garden Harvest Basket, giant size

West Gardens Harvest Baskets – at Persephone Farm, Indianola, WA – June 1, 2011

April 17, 2011

We are fortunate that Persephone Farms is in Indianola, growing wonderful local food.

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The Signs of Spring

March 19, 2011

Early spring brings blooms on Indian Plum and Deciduous Huckleberry.

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8-4-11 enjoying the view

August 4th to 7th, 2011 – Weave With Cedar Bark in the Beautiful North Cascades

March 3, 2011

North Cascades Institute is a beautiful place to learn plant fiber weaving.

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Optimism and Patience – Two Gifts From the Heart of a Gardener

February 28, 2011

Remembering Dick West always.

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Spring is Coming?

February 28, 2011

Winter is a good time for weaving and mentoring.

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Sunset

2011 Greetings

January 3, 2011

The community completes the artist.

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Togetherness, Wild Cherry Bark by Melinda West

Art In the Woods 2010 – A Self-guided Studio Tour – Nov 12,13,14

October 17, 2010

Art in the Woods is a self-guided tour of studios in North Kitsap County.

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Cedar and Iris Fan by Melinda West

Cedar Bark and Iris Fan

October 11, 2010

I am grateful for commissions like this.

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Bridget's Visor

Northwest Sweet Grass – Basket Grass – My Favorite Grass

September 27, 2010

Schoenoplectus pungens palla, or NW sweetgrass is one of my favorite materials.

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Cedar Hat Inside

Lauren Likes Her New Hat

September 8, 2010

Lauren Silver in her new hat, 2010.

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Precarious by Melinda West

Art on the Trail – Messages From the Land Exhibit – Oct 1 to Nov 1, 2010

September 6, 2010

Art Along the Trail at Blakely Harbor on Bainbridge.

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North Cascade Institute’s Summer Art Retreat On Lake Diablo

August 27, 2010

Weaving From The Landscape, a class I offered at North Cascades Institute.

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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

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