Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

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    • Artist Statement – Land Acknowledgement
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    • Functional Ribbed Work
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Welcome to My Blog

As a contemporary sculptural 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.

A Space to Work and Meet

I’m grateful for the West Woods Working Team, three generations who build so beautifully together. Built with love.

Blog Categories

Peeta Tinay Teaches at BARN

Peeta Tinay Teaches The Art of Twining With Reed At BARN

March 18, 2019

Students enjoyed a two day workshop at BARN with Peeta Tinay.

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Polly Adams Sutton - Chasing Bear Grass Basket at BARN

Polly Adams Sutton teaches “Chasing Bear Grass” Basket at BARN

March 2, 2019

Students came to Bainbridge Artisans Resource Networks to learn from Polly Adams Sutton to weave with Western Red Cedar and Bear Grass.

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Weaving From The Wild a workshop at IslandWood with Melinda West

Carrying On Traditional Knowledge Through Weaving With Plants

February 4, 2019

Grateful for this wonderful group of students at IslandWood.

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Cattail, Cedar & Iris Pouch by Melinda West

Weaving From the Wild at IslandWood – Feb 3, 2019

January 1, 2019

Spend a day learning techniques for using plant fibers to create beautiful and useful objects.

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Karen Sherwood Pack Basket Class

Adirondack-Style Pack Basket with Karen Sherwood

July 16, 2018

Karen Sherwood of Earthwalk Northwest taught a fun Pack Basket at Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network.

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Birch Bark Knife Sheaths

Karen Sherwood at BARN-Birch Bark Knife Sheath

July 16, 2018

Karen Sherwood teaches at BARN, Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network.

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Ed Carriere preps a cedar limb.

Ed Carriere’s Fish Net Anchor Artifact Workshop at BARN

June 5, 2018

Ed Carriere and I enjoyed teaching together at BARN this May 5, 2018.

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Cedar Hat

Kathey Ervin’s Cedar Workshop at BARN

March 6, 2018

Highlights from Kathey Ervin’s “Weaving With NW Gold – Pick Your Own Project” Workshop at BARN.

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Kay Harradine Waxed Linen Medalion

2018 Basketry Workshops at Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network

February 18, 2018

Twenty Basketry Workshops in 2018 at Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network.

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Cedar bark, driftwood, Cedar Paper, stones

Olympic College & BIMA Winter & Spring 2018

January 26, 2018

Please come and enjoy this exhibition of 27 NW artists reflecting upon the theme of “Home”.

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Ribbed baskets made with various PNW materials

Feb 4, 2018 Workshop at IslandWood

December 18, 2017

Join Melinda for a day at IslandWood and weave a basket with plant materials from the NW landscape.

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Dividing the inner and outer bark layers

August 26-27 – Weaving Nature-Plant Fiber Projects Blending Culture, Science & Art

July 29, 2017

I hope you can join me at the BARN this August 26-27 for a weekend of making lots of projects from plant fibers that the young people in your life will love.

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About Melinda

Thirty 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. The experience of weaving with the materials at hand while being together with my sons on a beautiful Pacific Northwest shoreline, kindled a passion for creating art from natural plant materials. 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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