AN artist who relies on her love of painting as therapy for a painful back problem is exhibiting her work in Kidderminster Library Gallery next month.

Christine Skirrow's Pastel Studies exhibition is on display from Saturday, May 7 until Sunday, May 29 and will consist of a variety of subjects, focusing on the beauty of the changes in seasons, wildlife and nostalgic childhood memories.

The artist, who retired from her job as a government inspector due to ill health, is a keen promoter of the therapeutic properties of art, which she claims can help relieve "any type of illness or stress".

She told the Shuttle/Times & News: "I've had sciatica for 20 years now and painting is a good distraction and gives you inner peace and calm.

"I believe it's a good therapy for anyone with any type of illness or stress in their life because it it's a very good way of peeling yourself away from it all."

The 52-year-old, who is programme secretary of Redditch Art Group, added she had exhibited at galleries and stately homes across Worcestershire and Warwickshire but said this would be her first in Kidderminster.

She added she had been exhibiting her work for the past 21 years.

"I'm literally wearing my friends out, putting exhibitions up, so I'm starting to cut down on my bigger exhibitions," she said, explaining she relied on a close circle of friends to put on her exhibitions while she supervised.

"I've exhibited quite regularly at Harvington Hall but not actually in Kidderminster itself and I'm looking forward to it because Kidderminster's a flagship library."

More information on the exhibition can be obtained by calling the venue on 01562 824500.