Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

  • About
    • Art Resume
    • Artist Statement – Land Acknowledgement
    • Teaching, Exhibits, Projects
  • Galleries
    • Functional Ribbed Work
    • Wall Pieces
    • Woven and Folded Bark
    • Sculptural Blends
    • Community
  • Workshops
  • Weaving Knowledge
    • Workshops
    • My Teachers
    • Resources
  • Blog
  • Contact

Melinda Joy West Welcomes You

August 6, 2010 By Melinda

cedar box   (5″x4″x4″)

Welcome.  As a contemporary sculptural artist I’ve been exploring the traditional art of weaving with plant fibers since 1985. I enjoy sharing lessons I’ve learned from my teachers with students of all ages.  I gather materials in a respectful manner, 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.

Being a hands-on, low-tech type person, I will do my best to make weekly postings, or every other weekly, or at least monthly, about the art I am creating, the learning projects I’m working on, and suggestions for what the seasons may have to offer those who like me, desire to learn more about the natural world.

Filed Under: Plants and Places Tagged With: cedar bark box, plants, pruning, recycling, replant, respectful gathering, sculptural basketry

Search the site

Subscribe

Blog Categories

Connect with Melinda

  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Recent Posts

  • Weaving Project With Periscope Woodcraft
  • Food Along the Trail – Big Leaf Maple Flower Fritters
  • Weaving Nature Workshop Fall 2022 at BARN
  • Paper From Plants – A Lesson in Resilience
  • Fireweed and Nettle Fiber Papers

Popular Blog Topics

art Art in the Woods Studio Tour Artistic Weaving With Western Red Cedar Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network BARN BARN workshops baskets cedar bark Cedar From Tree To Pouch Clam Basket A Story By Ed Carriere class community creative Cultural Arts Foundation NW design early spring Ed Carriere English ivy Fall First Peoples grasses inner cedar bark IslandWood ivy Katie Jennings leaves new work North Cascades Institute NW sweetgrass Pacific Northwest Paper making Small Plant Fiber Projects spring students summer Suquamish Sydni Sterling Studio teaching vines weaving Weaving With Western Red Cedar Western red cedar winter workshop

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.
Read More
Melinda West and basket, Indianola WA

Copyright © 2022 Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry | Indianola | Washington | USA

Site by LND