Mandy Russell, a self-taught mixed media artist from Topsham, makes art at the dining room table almost every night after the kids go to bed. She also works with local students to promote the arts in schools.

“A Delightful Grime,” a show of her works will be on view throughout June at Little Dog Coffee Shop, 87 Maine St., Brunswick.

Russell describes the exhibit as follows:

In just about every piece of art I make lately, a certain duality exists. I’m often inspired to create some sort of whimsical or delightful scene, such as a pink tree made from zippers, a jelly fish with a crocheted skirt, or a teacup overflowing with a bird’s nest.

However, I cannot bear to leave this cuteness alone. I’m simply compelled to couple it with an imperfect, dirty or grimy look.

While my process is always evolving, I usually accomplish this by applying gobs of modeling paste and using heavy amounts of oil pastel.

This show, “A Delightful Grime,” celebrates the idea that imperfection and dirt can exist in harmony with a something darling. I believe that the reason I’ve come to display this duality in my art is because of my experience as a mom of two young children.

Life with kids can be darling and whimsical but it’s also unbelievably messy. I often feel social pressure that my job as a mother requires me to keep a spotlessly clean house and well groomed kids.

Needless to say, I often fall short of this ideal. My art embraces the idea that life can be colorful and fun, but is rarely clean.

For more, visit www.mandyrussell.com.

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