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

October 2020 London Craft Week at J&M Davidson

October 5, 2020 By Melinda

Lyons, Cedar By The Sea - A

It’s Fall now. The air is crisp in the shade all day, making the sun’s warmth, where found, ever more delicious. In any normal year, I’d be scrambling right now to finish all the half-made baskets and art experiments that I’d started but pushed to the side for other priority work and deadlines. That would always manage to fill the small gallery … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Artwork, News, Upcoming Tagged With: Art in the Woods, J&M Davidson, London, London Craft Week, London Craft Week 2020, Meet the Maker, Sydni Sterling Studio, Sydni Sterling's Studio

Art In The Woods, Nov 6,7,8

November 3, 2015 By Melinda

Sydni Sterling and I will have some of our new work displayed in her lovely studio November 6, 7, and 8th, from 10am to 5 pm each day. There are many wonderful artists participating in this tour. You can download the map and brochure at www.cafnw.org. Weaver/Artist Sue Skelly and I, also have some special pieces in a Fine Craft Show at … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Artwork, News Tagged With: Art in the Woods studio tour 2015, Sydni Sterling Studio

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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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