Earlier this year I got an email note from Helga Strauss, owner of ARTchix Studio. She wrote,

"I've been making backgrounds on wood and then cutting them into shapes.... like the hearts. If I send you some wood, would you like to play and make some backgrounds? And then send them back to me and I'll cut them into shapes? Then you can send me a few photos of yourself and your art space and I could feature you as a guest artist on my blog and etsy shop. I would sell your shapes and send some back to you so that you can enjoy some too."

Whoo Hoo! I said, "I’m in, Helga! I would love to do this!! Making backgrounds is such a fun and creative activity. I'm honored you asked!" After I received the wood from Helga I got to work - or I should say, play- with an early April deadline to have the backgrounds returned to her. Here's a peek into my process of making the backgrounds on wood before Helga transformed them into some very charming shapes!

For the board I collaged with papers, I ripped a variety of papers to start with, click for details.

Helga recommended painting the wood with gesso first to prepare it. I decided to do a "practice" board. I tried my collage, painting and rubber stamping on the practice piece first, to see what everything looked like on painted wood.

All 3 boards that I arted-up for Helga are below

And this is how Helga transformed them!

The feather shapes come from this collaged board and started with the papers seen at the top of the post. The back of the board is painted gold.

When Helga received the photos of my studio for the feature post, I think this photo influenced her ideas on what shapes to do!

I really adore it that she picked up on my love for feathers and transformed my paper collage board into wood feathers!!! Thank you, Helga!

The red board with the paper hearts was cleverly made into coral and the bright green board with circles was cut into wee houses. I tried that idea at home with a house stencil that Helga had sent me previously and thought it looked fantastic . . .

My featured ARTchix guest artist post is here on Helga's blog.

There is a tour of my studio you might enjoy and it is rather fun to be featured there (link above). I have known Helga since she started ARTchix Studio and she is just the best! So many wonderful products to go with such a warm and wonderful person. I am blessed to know her, thanks again Helga! Here are a few more studio pics . . . we took more than needed for the article -these are different additional photos.