Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

More Pictures From NCI Art Retreat

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I am a hunter-gatherer of plant materials and I use them for specific fiber technologies.  Because of the rarity of some materials, the time put into the gathering of others, and the painstaking preparation of most of the materials once gathered, I have developed the habit of saving my scraps.  When I met Sue Smith in the late 1980's early 1990's, … [Read more...]

Workshop at North Cascades Institute 2012

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I'll be teaching a fun class inspired by the Northwest landscape and First Peoples traditional uses of the plant fiber resources.  Come to this rejuvenating  Artist's Retreat in the beautiful North Cascades. Be sure to ask NCI about how to qualify for a partial tuition scholarship. A description and details are available at the North Cascades … [Read more...]

Paper Making and Sculptural Work

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  Using the treasures of natural plant materials, handmade papers, and perhaps recycled personal artifacts, students create interesting sculptural forms, and/or baskets, each piece with it's own story to tell.  Please click the link in the side bar for more information about this upcoming class at North Cascades Institute. … [Read more...]

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