• Maria's graphite drawing: octopus with ballerina legs & tutu dancing on white.
  • Dance of Instincts — Fine Art art — detail 2 — painting by Maria | VanArtHub original art
  • Elastic Emotion — original art — detail 3 — colored pencil by Maria | VanArtHub original art
  • Dance of Instincts — Fine Art art — detail 4 — painting by Maria | VanArtHub original art
  • Dance of Instincts — Fine Art art — detail 5 — painting by Maria | VanArtHub original art
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Original art by Maria VanArtHub, Vancouver

Dance of Instincts: Original Graphite on Artboard by Maria | VanArtHub

Graphite on Artboard11.8 × 15.7 in2025One-of-a-kind original

A surreal fine art figure in motion, merging the human form with octopus-like limbs to express power, fluidity, and inner transformation.

$904.00 CAD
$904.00 CAD
Sale Sold out
Free insured shipping to Canada and the USA.
  • 14-day free trial Full refund, we pay return shipping
  • Free insured shipping Canada 3 to 7 days · USA 5 to 10
  • Certificate of Authenticity Signed original, included
  • Lifetime Trade-Back Trade in for store credit, any time

See it in person. Our gallery is at 1242 Davie Street, Vancouver, open seven days a week. Call (604) 401-9499 to check this piece is on the wall before you come, or plan your visit.

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The story behind this piece

This fine art artwork depicts a dynamic surreal figure whose body extends into octopus-like forms, captured in a moment of expressive movement. The flowing limbs create a sense of rhythm and expansion, transforming the human figure into a symbol of adaptability, instinct, and inner force.



Executed in monochromatic tones with intricate line work, the composition balances elegance and intensity. The contrast between the graceful posture and the organic complexity of the limbs invites reflection on multiplicity, control, and the unseen energies that shape identity.



Ideal for collectors and contemporary interiors drawn to bold, conceptual narratives, this artwork brings motion, symbolism, and emotional depth into curated spaces, studios, and modern environments.

Shipping, trial and returns
  • Free, fully insured shipping. Delivery takes 3 to 7 business days in Canada and 5 to 10 in the USA. Every piece is professionally packed and insured door to door.
  • 14-day free trial. Live with the painting for 14 days. If it is not right for your space, return it for a full refund and we pay the return shipping.
  • Certificate of Authenticity. A signed certificate ships with the artwork, confirming it is a one-of-a-kind original.
  • Lifetime Trade-Back. Your taste can change. Trade this piece back at any time for store credit toward another original.
  • Ships from Vancouver, Canada. Packed by the gallery and tracked all the way to your door.

Technical details

Size
11.8 × 15.7 in
Medium
Graphite on Artboard
Subject
Portrait Paintings
Style
Fine Art Paintings
Orientation
Vertical
Artist
Maria
Year
2025
Edition
Original, one of a kind
Authenticity
Certificate of Authenticity included
SKU
Graphite pencil-PAINTING-01
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Part of: Abstract Fine Art
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About this artwork

Artwork Statement

This artwork presents a striking fusion of marine life and classical dance, rendered in a monochromatic palette. The central subject is an octopus, depicted from the back, its mantle and numerous tentacles intricately detailed with textures and suckers. Below the octopus's body, a voluminous, ruffled ballet tutu is visible, suggesting the creature is performing a dance. Two human-like legs in ballet pointe shoes emerge from beneath the tutu, one leg extended and poised on its toes, the other bent. The composition is dynamic, with the octopus's tentacles curving and swirling, mirroring the flow of the tutu. The entire piece is executed in shades of black, white, and gray, utilizing varying degrees of shading to create depth and form against a stark white background. The overall mood is one of surreal elegance and whimsical movement.

Interior Design Use

This unique piece would serve as a captivating focal point in a contemporary living room or a creative study. Its monochromatic scheme allows for versatile integration into diverse color palettes, while its whimsical subject matter adds a touch of playful sophistication and intrigue to the space.

Technical Details

  • Artist: Maria
  • Medium: Graphite on Artboard
  • Size: 11.8 x 15.7 in (30 x 40 cm)
  • Year: 2025
  • Type: One-of-a-kind original
  • Certificate of Authenticity: Included

Questions about this painting

How big is Dance of Instincts, and what size wall does it suit?
Dance of Instincts by Maria measures 11.8 by 15.7 inches (30 by 40 cm), so it is portrait, taller than it is wide. VanArtHub suggests hanging it over a wall space or piece of furniture at least 18 inches wide, which keeps the painting at roughly two thirds of the width below it. Measure your wall before you order, and remember the 14-day trial covers you if the scale is not right in the room.
Is Dance of Instincts an original painting or a print?
Dance of Instincts is a one-of-a-kind original painted by Maria, graphite on artboard. VanArtHub sells originals only and does not sell prints or reproductions of this work, so once it is bought there is no second copy. A signed Certificate of Authenticity ships with the painting.
What is shown in Dance of Instincts?
Subject: Octopus wearing a ballet tutu and pointe shoes. Color palette: Black, white, and gray (monochromatic). Composition: Octopus from behind, tentacles spread, ballet tutu and legs below. Style: Detailed, illustrative, surreal. The subject is modern, pencil. It was painted by Maria and is titled Dance of Instincts.
What colours are in Dance of Instincts?
The dominant colour in Dance of Instincts by Maria is black & white / neutral. The style is abstract, contemporary art. If you are matching a room, work from the wall colour and the largest piece of furniture rather than from small accessories, and use the 14-day trial to see the painting in your own light before you commit.
Which room does Dance of Instincts suit?
This unique piece would serve as a captivating focal point in a contemporary living room or a creative study. Its monochromatic scheme allows for versatile integration into diverse color palettes, while its whimsical subject matter adds a touch of playful sophistication and intrigue to the space. Dance of Instincts was painted by Maria.
Who painted Dance of Instincts?
Dance of Instincts was painted by Maria, an artist represented by VanArtHub, a gallery based in Vancouver, Canada. You can see the rest of Maria's available and past work at https://vanarthub.com/pages/maria.
When was Dance of Instincts painted?
Dance of Instincts by Maria was painted in 2025, graphite on artboard. It is a recent original rather than a reissue or a later copy.
How much does Dance of Instincts cost, and what is included in the price?
Dance of Instincts by Maria is $904.00 CAD at VanArtHub. That price includes free fully insured shipping to Canada and the USA, a signed Certificate of Authenticity, and the 14-day trial. There is no framing charge, no delivery charge, and no buyer's premium on top.
Can I return Dance of Instincts if it does not suit my wall?
Yes. Every painting VanArtHub sells, including Dance of Instincts by Maria, comes with a 14-day trial. Hang it at home, and if it is not right, return it within 14 days for a full refund. VanArtHub pays the return shipping, so trying the piece costs you nothing.
How long does shipping take for Dance of Instincts, and does it cost extra?
Shipping is free and fully insured. Dance of Instincts ships from VanArtHub in Vancouver, Canada, and delivery takes 3 to 7 business days within Canada and 5 to 10 business days to the USA. The painting is professionally packed and tracked door to door, and it is insured for its full value the whole way.
Is Dance of Instincts still available?
Yes, Dance of Instincts by Maria is available to buy at VanArtHub as of today. It is a one-of-a-kind original, so there is only one of it and it is gone once it sells.
What if my taste changes after buying Dance of Instincts?
VanArtHub offers a Lifetime Trade-Back. You can trade Dance of Instincts back to the gallery at any time, with no deadline, and put the credit toward a different original. Because every piece is one of a kind, the trade-back is what lets a collection change over the years without a loss.

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