Marita D'Arcy

Marita D'Arcy. Modern abstract portraiture, Cairns, Queensland.

Modern abstract portraitureScroll down. It’s worth it.
The Church

Figures that feel personal and familiar.

Hi, my name is Marita

I am a Cairns based artist and come from a diverse cultural arts background.

Through realism and abstraction, I aim to create what I call ‘the universal person’, figures that feel personal and familiar, yet open enough for others to see themselves reflected. Reminding us of our shared humanity.

Marita's handwritten signature
Marita D'Arcy in her studio, in a pink top and black apron, painting at a palette with brushes in hand. Two of her vivid portraits stand on easels behind her.
A stylised black, white and teal image of two women: one sits in a wicker chair holding a cup, the other stands beside her wearing a face mask.
In the studio
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Step into my world

Marita D'Arcy in a pink gingham top and a black paint-splattered apron, wiping a sheet of paper laid out on her studio table. Easels stand behind her.

Take a quick flip through a snapshot of my work

The Church. A tall figure in dark blue stands beside a small figure holding a violet umbrella, in front of a bright red church with a gold cross.
Two cowboy hats, one yellow and one red, above blue and green figures on a bright yellow ground.
Mosaic. A long, lean woman sits on a ledge in a dress patterned with mosaic tiles of black, white and blue, against soft pink, teal and green.
An expressive face in grey, pink and white on a yellow-green ground.
Vanity Fair 1962. A woman in profile sits in a lilac skirt and mustard top beside a turquoise armchair, in bold blocks of colour against olive green.
A seated figure in orange and yellow with a blue collar and collage patches, signed Marita.
Living Off The Breeze. A young woman in a yellow top and shorts sits upright on a wooden chair, drawn in loose black line over soft grey and yellow washes.
A beach scene in loose, sunny colour with figures along the shore.
Batgirl. A dark, winged figure drawn in charcoal stands against a yellow and pink ground.
A pink figure seen from behind with a red heart.
Rainbow Woman. A woman in a green top lounges sideways in a blue chair against bands of red, orange and yellow.
A cross-legged figure in a green T-shirt.
Just Be Cool. A close portrait of a young man in a blue T-shirt, wide-eyed, with his hair swept up, against olive and pale grey with a streak of turquoise above.
A figure with flowers resting along a long sofa.
The Dentist. A young man in a yellow T-shirt and purple shorts sits forward on a sofa, in a black frame, drawn in loose line over pale colour.
Two overlapping faces in pink, green and yellow.
A reclining figure in ochre and rose over deep blue.
A seated figure in charcoal and wash, in grey and yellow.
Two figures sit in front of a green van under a soft blue sky, with white flowers above.
Three seated figures in lavender, ochre and charcoal against bold pink brushstrokes.
A figure seen from behind with long dark hair, in soft pastel washes of peach, blue and yellow.
A face with red lips and a yellow cheek in grey, brown and blue watercolour.
An earthy abstract in brown, pink and yellow with blue outlines.
A face in blue and terracotta strokes with slim trees behind.
Charcoal figures on a dark ground: a hand raised to the chin, and a seated figure drawn in line, with patches of red and lilac.
A woman in a flowing green dress sits at the front with several women standing close behind her, in loose washes of colour and fine line.
Two women sit side by side at a cafe table under a white umbrella, with plates and bags around them, in bold greens, reds and yellows.
A smiling woman in a patterned top sits among green leaves and a window, in dense linework and layered colour.
An abstract of bold turquoise, deep blue and orange brushstrokes on red.
A close portrait of a young woman with dark tousled hair, one eye in shadow, and a small toy figure at her shoulder.
A seated figure leaning forward, drawn in loose pink, grey and charcoal marks.
A framed print of The Church hanging in a calm living room above a wooden sideboard, beside a plant.
Animated

My paintings come to life

Two figures in yellow and red cowboy hats on a yellow painting hang on a gallery wall. Bright paint begins to drip down the canvas.
A painting of two seated figures in a gallery. Two people covered in paint, like the painting, step out of the canvas and walk forward.
A portrait in yellow, green and pink hangs in an empty gallery. The camera moves in on its eyes as pink paint drips down the face.
Shop

Originals and limited edition prints, ready for your wall.

Displayed sizes of original works are unframed. Please contact me for framing options.

Original artworks

Select a painting to see its photos, its story and the price.

Available prints

Limited edition prints

These are the prints I've chosen to release from my original works. Each piece will only have a run of 10 and will then be archived for good.

Look closer

Texture, drips and layered colour.

Close detail of an original painting: thick navy paint drips over peach and orange brushstrokes, a bright yellow drip runs down the right side, and Marita's signature sits near the centre.

Every painting, signed by hand.

Signed

One by one.

Close-up of Marita's handwritten signature on a warm orange and red painted ground
Close-up of Marita's handwritten signature on pale blue, pink and sand brushstrokes
Close-up of Marita's handwritten signature on pale grey-green paint, in thick black strokes
Close-up of Marita's handwritten signature on a watery pink and red wash
Close-up of Marita's handwritten signature on yellow paint beside red and grey brushwork
Close-up of Marita's handwritten signature on olive and green layered paint above a dark vertical stroke
Close-up of Marita's handwritten signature on soft grey-white paint with faint pink and green streaks
Close-up of Marita's handwritten signature on mottled grey and mauve paint
Close-up of Marita's handwritten signature on white paper marked with rust-brown paint strokes
Close-up of Marita's handwritten signature on rough golden-brown canvas with a blue wash
Close-up of Marita's handwritten signature on a vivid blue and peach surface with navy and yellow drips
Close-up of Marita's handwritten signature on soft grey paint with a red edge, in thin ink
Close-up of Marita's handwritten signature on a yellow painted area crossed by black lines, in small letters
Close-up of Marita's handwritten signature on torn grey and white paper layered over black

Each limited edition print is hand-signed by Marita.

My media

See the work in motion

Watch the film on YouTube

Captions can be switched on in the player. Video description: a film about Marita D'Arcy and her paintings, hosted on her YouTube channel. Watch on YouTube

Enquiries

I'd love to hear from you, whether you're interested in an original piece, a limited edition print, or simply want to say hello.

Send a message