Melinda West | West Gardens Basketry

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

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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

2015 Summer Art Sale 7/31-8/1

June 8, 2015 By Melinda

Sydni Sterling will have her beautiful paintings, and I'll have a new batch of cedar pouches, boxes, baskets, wall pieces, and jewelry.  We are showing during Indianola Days, from 11-4, Friday and Saturday.  If you like the 'festival experience' with a sand castle contest on the beach, and Salmon bake and dance in the evening, then come on … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Artwork, News Tagged With: Indianola Days Art Sale, Indianola Days Exhibit of New Work, summer, Sydni Sterling

A Fun Weekend – Many Thanks

August 15, 2014 By Melinda

I'd like to shout out a big thank you to Sydni Sterling and Mike Dillon, who opened up their garden and studio for a twice annual exhibit of new work. Thanks to all the guests, friends, and visitors who stopped in. It was wonderful to see everyone! One of my grandson's, Asha, shared his origami.  His work definitely brightened up the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Artwork, News Tagged With: community, Indianola Days Art Sale, Mike Dillon, summer, Sydni Sterling, Sydni Sterling Studio

Art In The Woods Studio Tour 2013

November 11, 2013 By Melinda

A big thank you to all the friends, neighbors, former students and loyal art-appreciators, who came by to see Sydni Sterling and I this past weekend during the annual Art in the Woods Studio Tour. It is always a delightful experience for me to exhibit my sculptural work, in natural plant materials, next to Sydni’s paintings, in acrylics, that … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Artwork, News Tagged With: annual exhibit, Art in the Woods, Art in the Woods Studio Tour, Cultural Arts Foundation NW, Fall, Indianola, new work, Sterling Studio, Sydni Sterling

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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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