Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

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Farewell to 2012

December 31, 2012 By Melinda

2012-12-31 Farewell 2012

I ponder upon this past circle of seasons, trembling with gratitude for family, friends, and community, who contribute everyday to my development as human being and an artist. "The community stagnates without the impluse of the individual...the impulse dies away without the sympathy of the community."  William James My take on this is:  The … [Read more...]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: greetings, new work, new year, winter

Greetings in 2012

February 20, 2012 By Melinda

I'm taking baby-steps to learn how to use this web-site.  I hope you'll be patient and check back now and again.  Early spring is upon us here in the Pacific Northwest.  The tiniest hazelnut blooms are appearing as their beautiful catkins dangle prominently below the blossoms.  I know it's cool and moist here, and can be quite gray, but January is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: eagles, gratitude, greetings, new work, new year, winter

December

December 7, 2011 By Melinda

As the solstice quietly approaches and the natural light diminishes, it seems quite natural to look inward.  I search those creative alcoves and journals, the spaces and places where ideas have been lingering.  Which of these embers will be born into the material world as the daylight returns?  I wonder. Here are some favorite pieces I made in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: gratitude, greetings, sunset, winter

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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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