Artist returns to Bethany Sept. 8 to premiere new creations

      Dreams of Nature greeting card artist Marjorie Wortz returns to the Bethany area
this Saturday, Sept. 8, to premiere a series of large, framed handmade creations at The
Ellen Rice Gallery.
     Wortz, a Delaware native, founded “Dreams of Nature” natural greeting cards in
2003. Her cards, and now her much larger entirely handmade, framed natural artworks,
are composed of three dimensional found and grown objects of nature, colored papers
and cloth all painstakingly put together by hand.
     The Ellen Rice Gallery has been carrying her cards for two years. During the
show Saturday, those attending will see some of Wortz’ favorite cards re-thought and
turned into larger, much more detailed framed works and many entirely new “natural
creations.”
     Wortz says she challenges herself to use nature in unexpected ways “to pass on a
bit of awe, surprise, and renewed appreciation of the beautiful world surrounding us.”
     “I love using the rich natural textures of sand, spices, reeds, husks, pods, leaves,
herbs, flowers and shells,” says Wortz. “Nature is my muse.”
     “Whether I’m hiking through the forest or just sitting in my garden, nature’s
beauty is always a source of peace and inspiration. I use my imagination to bottle this
moment of serenity to share with others through my natural work.”
     What is truly amazing is that Wortz and her sister and business partner Natalie
Reilly, now of Seattle, Washington and Annapolis, Md., work bi-coastally to create each
card and framed work of art by hand.
     Wortz creates the initial design and mails the natural elements she has collected
for them to her sister on the East Coast. Reilly then cuts appropriate paper and cloth
backings and the found natural objects to the sizes and shapes needed and mails them
back to the West Coast. Wortz then composes, glues and signs each piece and sends them
back to Reilly, who puts the pieces in their finished form with information about their
creation and either card envelopes or now, frames.
     Sometimes the pieces go back and forth across the country several times each.
Reilly has now learned the art of framing and shadow-boxing so she can complete Wortz’
new framed creations.
     Reilly says growing up in a family with a love of nature influenced them at a
young age. They loved spending summers beachcombing at the Bethany shore.
      For Wortz, Reilly recalls, “the collecting of nature’s treasures, whether shells,
leaves or pine cones became her obsession, even as a young child.
     “She cherished the beauty, the smell, the shape, the color of the small things that
many walk upon and take for granted. These natural mementoes were presented on cards
for loved ones.”
     Eventually, Wortz’s love of nature translated into a career for both sisters.
     Each of Wortz’ designs starts with a piece of nature that captures her imagination
and artistic eye. Describes Reilly:
     “The playful way she views nature could be described as similar to finding
objects in a puffy cloud-filled sky. Sometimes she sees resemblances: perhaps a dahlia
petal converts to a hot air balloon; a long angular shell takes on the shape of a neck tie;
lily stems transform into baby carriage wheels. Each of these natural elements offers a
layer of dimension and depth to her designs that purvey a sense of place or a moment in
time that offers meditative relaxation, joy.”
     Wortz currently works from her garden studio in the Pacific Northwest finding
inspiration on both East and West Coast beaches, on walks through the coastal
rainforests, and while strolling among the colorful blooms in her garden. Her work is sold
in galleries and specialty stores nationwide.
     Wortz says her greatest desire is that her art “will be treasured for years to come
and that the gems of nature will serve as a reminder of the beauty surrounding us every
day.”
     Wortz and Reilly will be at the Ellen Rice Gallery, 103 Atlantic Ave. (Rt. 26),
Ocean View, this Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 5 p.m. to premiere their new
Dreams of Nature framed works. Light refreshments will be served. Everyone is invited
to come
     The Ellen Rice gallery is located 2.2 miles west of Bethany Beach in the west end
of the Country Wicker building. For more information, please call the gallery at 302-539-
3405 or visit www.ellenrice.com.