Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

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Learning About Pollinators

February 2, 2015 By Melinda

The Pollinator Garden Fence at IslandWood, by Melinda West As a plant fiber artist inspired by nature, learning the life stories of important native Pacific Northwest pollinators has been one of the most delightful aspects of making this fence, and is one example of how art and science are interwoven.  This fence defines a border for ‘a garden … [Read more...]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: ancient, art, bamboo, cedar limbs, Commission, IslandWood, milled cedar splints, pollinator garden, pollinators, science, sustainable, universal, wattle fence, Western red cedar

Fence at IslandWood

December 4, 2014 By Melinda

I am grateful for an opportunity to spend time at IslandWood, an environmental learning center on Bainbridge Island, Washington. I'm especially thankful for the generousity of many people who volunteer and contribute, sustaining the wonderful programs offered here, where young people can experience cultural and environmental lessons firsthand. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Commission, garden fence pollinator, IslandWood, wattle fence, woven fencing

Ready to Weave a Cedar Fan

August 16, 2014 By Melinda

Setting up a Fan framework

It is a delight for me to create an art piece for a specific space in a clients home. After prepping the materials most of yesterday, today I finally got the framework set-up and the weaving started! I'm excited! Click to see finished fan in my gallery. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Cedar Fan, Commission, inner cedar bark, Lopez Wing, Siberian iris pods

Cedar Bark and Iris Fan

October 11, 2010 By Melinda

Cedar and Iris Fan by Melinda West

This cedar bark, Siberian iris, and handmade paper fan, demonstrates the beauty found in familiar, ancient forms.  I'm grateful to Linda and David, for giving me the opportunity to create this piece for them, using materials from their beautiful garden.  (37”tall x 24” wide x 2” deep) … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Artwork Tagged With: Cedar and iris Fan, Commission, iris pods, Siberian iris

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Recent Posts

  • Bare Bones Abstracts
  • A Space to Work and Meet
  • Cedar Bark – Useful and Beautiful
  • October 2020 London Craft Week at J&M Davidson
  • Land Acknowledgement 2020

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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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