About us
Our story
Marea de María was born from the creative drive of María León Abarca, a lowbrow expressionist artist based in San José, Costa Rica. From an early age María found in art a way to express the depth of nature, insects and the cycles of life and death that fascinate her.
What began as a personal exploration in oil and graphite became a brand that fuses expressionist art with couture jewelry. Every piece carries the essence of the handmade, imperfection as beauty and the ephemeral as part of the art.
The name "Marea" (tide) evokes the constant movement of waves, the endless flow connecting nature and creativity. It is a call to embrace transformation and find beauty in the unexpected.
Why us
- One-of-a-kind pieces. Every painting is unique, signed and comes with a certificate of authenticity.
- Handmade. All jewelry is made piece by piece in our Costa Rica studio.
- Art with soul. Works exploring nature, entomology and the cycles of life.
- Safe shipping. Museum-grade packing for paintings and dedicated protection for jewelry.
Our creative process
It starts with observation: insects under moonlight, decaying flowers, the textures of nature in decomposition. These become oil on textured canvas, graphite and gold leaf.
Each jewelry piece is designed and made entirely by hand, combining metals, resins and natural elements. No shortcuts. No rush. Every piece gets the time it needs to reach its final form.