For many people, reaching the age of 50 is a milestone to be marked by doing something special - a big party, a holiday or a new car.
But an upper Calder Valley artist decided to do something a bit different - hold her first solo exhibition.
Christine Nichol is currently presenting “Flow”, a display of her paintings at Platform One Gallery, Todmorden railway station.
Christine, of Todmorden, describes herself as an abstract artist with an eye towards the contemporary.
Working mainly on canvas and slate, and occasionally on objects such as metal, she loves to paint beyond the reality of the subject.
Her work is inspired by the world around her, strongly influenced by her emotions, physical feelings and thoughts.
“Abstract is not simply messing around with paint,” she said.
“It is the basis of painting freely, a moment of revelation hovering between a world which we feel we recognise and one which our imaginative selves can wander.
“I paint how I feel - everyday emotions.
“But I don’t usually do bad mood things.”
A special event was held last week to officially open Christine’s exhibition.
“It was great,” she said.
“I was really chuffed with it.
“I was a bit panicky at first but it was a fantastic event.
“I couldn’t have wished for it to go any better.
“It’s good for Platform One Gallery as well. It gives them a boost.”
Born in 1963, Christine lived in Doncaster for more than 20 years before moving to Todmorden in 1986.
She has always been a creative person but decided to pursue art when her two boys were young.
After doing an access course, she went on to study art and design at Bradford University, graduating with a first class honours degree in 2001.
For a few years she taught art to a group of 16-19 year-olds while exhibiting at various galleries in Todmorden, Hebden Bridge, Bradford and Doncaster.
She said it can be difficult to find time to paint as she spends a lot of time at her CN Quality Foods stall on Todmorden and Hebden Bridge markets.
l Christine’s “Flow” exhibition runs at Platform One Gallery until August 25. The gallery is open Thursday to Sunday, 11am until 4pm.