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

Art in the Woods Studio Tour 2024

November 2, 2024 By Melinda

Art In the Woods Studio Tour It is wonderful to be back in Sydni Sterling’s light-filled studio once again for the 2024 Art in the Woods Studio Tour. 2019 was the last time I participated, but I’ve been making new art all along, as well as changing and altering pieces I started long ago. I’m grateful to all my teachers, to my family, and to this … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Artwork, Community, My Teachers, News, Plants and Places, Upcoming Tagged With: Art in the Woods, Art in the Woods 2024, Art in the Woods Studio Tour, artistic cedar weaving, exhibits of new work, Indianola Country Store, Sydni Sterling, Sydni Sterling painter, Sydni Sterling Studio

Summer 2014 Exhibit of New Work

May 24, 2014 By Melinda

Cedar and Driftwood Fan, 42"x13"x2"

Painter Sydni Sterling and I will once again be exhibiting our new work together at her charming studio in Indianola, during the fun summer festival of Indianola Days. If you just want to see our work, not the extra low tide and sand castles, not the street fair, not the delicious Salmon Bake dinner, then be sure to come on Friday, before the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Artwork, News Tagged With: 2014, Asha's origami, August 8-10, exhibits of new work, Indianola Days, new work, Sterling Studio, Sydni Sterling painter

2012 Art in the Woods Studio Tour

October 22, 2012 By Melinda

M. West, Madrona and Curly Willow, 10-10

Greetings to Friends and Fellow Art Appreciators! I’d like to invite you to Art in the Woods, an annual studio tour featuring over 65 artists, nestled in 24 North Kitsap studios, this November 9, 10 and 11, open each day from 10:00 – 5:00.     http://www.cafnw.org/resources/forms/2012/FINAL_AITW_BROCHURE_2012.pdf Please … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Artwork, News Tagged With: art, Art in the Woods Studio Tour, baskets, Cedar weaving, Fall, invited, jewelry, new work, show, Sterling Gallery, Studio Tour, Sydni Sterling painter

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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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