Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

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Art in the Woods Nov 11-13

September 22, 2016 By Melinda

Giant Hearth Basket by Melinda West

Hi friends and fellow artists. I am working on commissions and creating new work with Pacific Northwest plant fibers which will be available this November 11,12,and 13 at Sydni Sterling's Studio and gallery, in Indianola, Washington, as a part of the 2016 Art In The Woods Studio Tour. In 2017, I will be writing a workbook/resource for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Artwork, News Tagged With: art, Art in the Woods Studio Tour, culture, IslandWood, new work, residency, science, small plant fiber project, students, teachers, teaching, website upgrade, young people

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

Sterling Studio Art Sale 2015

August 2, 2015 By Melinda

Twice a year Sydni Sterling opens up her lovely self-built painting studio for an art sale. Each summer, 11 to 4, on the Friday and Saturday of Indianola Days, which is a community festival scheduled on one of the lowest tides in late July or early August, Sydni fills her courtyard garden and studio with her beautiful acrylic paintings. It … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Artwork, News Tagged With: Art sale, Indianola Days, new work, Sterling Studdio, summer

Sterling Studio Open 7/31-8/1, 11-4

July 18, 2015 By Melinda

It has been an amazing summer this year in Indianola.  Kids are swimming, jumping off the dock, with lots of extra visiting from friend and family. Sydni Sterling and I will once again spread our art out into her lovely courtyard garden and invite you all to come by and visit with us. We will each likely be working on some pieces in progress so you … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Artwork, News Tagged With: Indianola Days, new work, open house, Sterling Studio, summer

Heat Spell-New Work

June 28, 2015 By Melinda

It has been unseasonably warm for our part of the world, so it has been a good time to clean out the studio.  Lots of my precious space is taken up by scraps of barks and grasses I save for making paper. Finally, time to cook up the cedar and make paper!  Also it has been a great time to lay out all my found materials, many that my arty friends … [Read more...]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Bare Bones, cedar paper, maple poles, new work, summer

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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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