CAMBRIDGE – Award-winning acrylic painter Maureen S. Farrell is Main Street Gallery’s guest artist for September/October. Her show, “Imperfectly Perfect,” highlights a collection of the artist’s figurative and abstract paintings which she created both in her home studio in Cambridge and her studio at the Davis Art Center in Easton.

Ms. Farrell’s studio is filled with several paintings she is working on at the same time. Describing her paintings as process oriented, she said she starts a painting by making marks and journaling directly onto her canvas or paper with graphite and charcoal.

“I then obliterate some of those marks and add more marks to the surface before moving on to the paint,” said the New York native who relocated to Cambridge in retirement.

She said she works her way through the process, allowing each painting to take its own course. “Over the years,” she said, “I have discovered that when I am fully engaged and give up control, the magic happens.”

She finds that concentrating on self-expression and using many marks and leaving what she calls “imperfections” add character and strength to her works.

But while her subjects are usually figurative or abstract, it is really her emotions that have the greatest influence on her pieces. “I paint what I feel,” she said, “not what I see.”

Interestingly for the former mail carrier, the daily handling of catalogs, magazines and newspapers that come to her through the mail have informed her work as well and often find their way into her paintings as written passages and collaged elements.

It wasn’t until after studying education and sociology in college and working as a rural mail carrier while raising three children as a single mom, that Ms. Farrell found her artistic voice. “My passion for art,” she said, “truly blossomed after I remarried, retired and reevaluated my whole purpose in life.”

A gifted watercolor teacher early on became a good friend and mentor and encouraged her to continue painting. That support and the skills she acquired through taking many classes and workshops helped fuel her newfound passion.

Ms. Farrell is a signature member of the International Society of Acrylic Painters and has shown her work locally, nationally and abroad. She is currently represented by Bishop’s Stock in Snow Hill and West Annapolis Artworks.

“Imperfectly Perfect” will open Sept. 1 and run through Oct. 30. The public is invited to two artist receptions which will take place on Second Saturdays, Sept. 10 and Oct. 8, from 5-8 p.m. The receptions are free and light refreshments will be served. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and online shopping is always available on the gallery’s website at mainstgallery.net.

Main Street Gallery is located at 518 Poplar St. and is Cambridge’s only artist-owned and run cooperative. The gallery is currently reviewing work from prospective members and guest artists. Contact the gallery through its website or by phoning 410-330-4659 if you are interested in being a part of this artist community.