Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

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The Community Completes the Artist

November 14, 2025 By Melinda

There are lots of reasons artists create their work…necessity (pay the bills), compulsion, yearning, expression, exploration, joy, invention, obligation….but many of us do our work alone. One of the beautiful things that happens when artists open up their studios to the outside world…is the interaction and exchange of ideas with friends, neighbors, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Artwork, Community, News, Upcoming Tagged With: Art in the Woods 2025, Art in the Woods Studio Tour, cafnw, community, Community partnership, Cultural Arts Foundation NW, fiber art, painting, Sydni Sterling painter, Sydni Sterling Studio

Grateful for a Community That Supports Local Artists

November 14, 2024 By Melinda

On the second weekend each November, Cultural Arts Foundation Northwest presents the Art in the Woods Studio Tour. Many talented artists who mostly work in isolation throughout the year come out of the “woods” to share their work. The studios are open Friday through Sunday from 10-5 each day. This is a fun event for those who like to see art, be … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Artwork, Community, My Teachers, News, Upcoming Tagged With: AIW, Art in the Woods, Art in the Woods Studio Tour, Art in the Woods Studio Tour 2024, Art sale, community, community support, Cultural Arts Foundation NW, Sydni Sterling, Sydni Sterling painter, Sydni Sterling Studio, Sydni Sterling's Studio, Veterans Day Weekend

Community Support For Artists

November 9, 2015 By Melinda

Many thanks to all who visited us during this Art In The Woods Studio Tour. We hope to see you again next year.  Please watch for Sydni Sterling's new website to be launched in 2016, and for my new contemporary work and traditional woven pieces to be presented here on my website.  Every year infuses us with new experiences and life lessons that are … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Artwork, Resources Tagged With: cafnw, Cultural Arts Foundation NW, Grateful for support, new work, thank you

2014 Studio Tour Nov 7-9, 2014

November 2, 2014 By Melinda

… [Read more...]

Filed Under: Artwork, News Tagged With: Art in the Woods Studio Tour, Art show, Cultural Arts Foundation NW, Studio Tour, Sydni Sterling Studio

Season for Dreaming and Making

November 1, 2014 By Melinda

The shortening days are sneaking up on us now. We've been eating well out of the garden, putting plenty of food up for winter, and now I'm actually delighted with the rains and the darkness.  The weather is helping me focus on weaving and  making art.  In the cozy studio I'm coming face to face again with materials that I've had the opportunity to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Artwork, News Tagged With: Art in the Woods Studio Tour, Cultural Arts Foundation NW, new work, Sydni Sterling Studio, winter

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Recent Posts

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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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