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.

Lissa Hunter’s Take Two Online Workshop

Some reflections after taking Lissa Hunter’s Take Two Online workshop last year, titled: Connecting-A Philosophy of Making With Lissa Hunter.

Blog Categories

Ed Carriere Receives the National Heritage Fellowship Award in September 2023

November 5, 2023

Suquamish Elder Ed Carriere goes to Washington DC to receive his award. He is accompanied by his granddaughter and three of his great-grandchildren.

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Knowledge is a Gift – Audrey Armstrong at Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network

November 4, 2023

I didn’t mean to keep you waiting so long, but here are the last highlights of Audrey Armstrong’s Fish Skin Workshop at BARN.

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Audrey Armstrong Teaches at BARN – Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network

November 4, 2023

Last month, Audrey Armstrong came to the Kitsap Peninsula with her family, to share her particular knowledge about the use of fish skins as a material for art and craft making.

Read More about Audrey Armstrong Teaches at BARN – Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network

Audrey Armstrong Inspires by Teaching Salmon Skin Sewing

October 28, 2023

Story & Photography by Bethany Goodrich – Bethany Goodrich is a multimedia storyteller living, loving and working in Southeast Alaska. She has worked around the globe, from Antarctica to Ghana, exploring how thoughtful story sharing can positively impact our communities, ecosystems and world.

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Fish Skin Preparation into a Material For Craft

October 22, 2023

Koyukon and Athabascan Artist, Audrey Armstrong, recently taught a Fish Skin Workshop at Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network. I’ll be sharing bits of what we learned. She was a wonderful teacher.

Read More about Fish Skin Preparation into a Material For Craft

Repost of a 2020 Interview with J & M Davidson for London Craft Week

October 10, 2023

Blowing the dust off of piles of past work, I found this interview from The Covid Era which may be of interest.

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Bloedel Reserve Residency Notes #2

July 5, 2023

I am grateful for the affirmation and support I’ve received as a participant in the 2023 Bloedel Reserve’s Creative Residency Program.

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Bloedel Reserve Residency Notes #1

June 8, 2023

Some notes from my time during a residency at the Bloedel Reserve in Washington State.

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Spring – It’s on the Way

March 14, 2023

No matter how cold or rainy it is – the plants are telling us that Spring is on its way.

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Water Is Life – A Song Worth Hearing

March 3, 2023

A song by Oliver Enjady and Lyla June. I hope you can listen.

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Suquamish Elder Ed Carriere is a 2023 National Heritage Fellow

March 2, 2023

We who know Ed Carriere, have always seen him as a treasured teacher and an encyclopedia of traditional ecological knowledge. But now he will truly be honored as a 2023 National Heritage Fellowship Recipient.

Read More about Suquamish Elder Ed Carriere is a 2023 National Heritage Fellow

Our Sacred Obligation – A Story Worth Spreading

March 1, 2023

Our Sacred Obligation is a well told story of resilience, persistence, purpose and hope. To bring the salmon back to the Klamath River requires decades of hard work, vision, collaboration, community and great leadership. We can all learn from this story.

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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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