Margaret travelled to central and northern Australia where she discovered her passion for painting the earthy colours of the outback desert. In Icarus Falling she floods the canvas with an earthy paint, the simplicity of the landscape dramatically interrupted by the figure of Icarus awkwardly falling below the steadfast horizon to his death.

Margaret once commented that Icarus represented youthful enthusiasm, his flight undertaken without forethought of what might become of him. She admired his courage and ability to risk everything. It is an approach that could be attributed to her approach to her work. The notion of creativity is often considered within the paradigm of flying too close to the sun.