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

February 28, 2011 By Melinda

September 4, 1922 – February 13, 2011

Acrylic painting by Sydni Sterling, of Indianola, Washington, 1992.
Used with permission by the artist.

Dick West founded the Indianola Saturday Market in the early 1980’s.
This painting holds our fondest memories of his ‘retirement’ years,
selling his famous prune-bread, produce, and flowers.

Touching the earth
and planting the seed
will always connect us with you.
Thank you Dick.

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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About Melinda