Bermuda’s art community is mourning the loss of veteran artist Molly Godet Thomas.

Ms Godet, who won the Charman Prize in 2012 and had her art featured across the island, was 68.

Friend Rhona Emmerson last night described Ms Godet as being a devoted mother, a generous friend and a uniquely talented artist.

“We all loved her dearly,” Ms Emmerson said. “Her watercolour paintings were one-of-a-kind, filled with colour and balanced design.

Ms Emmerson added: “A Charman winner and a creative force all her life. A devoted mother and creative director for many years in London agencies. She loved her garden and flowers, with a chic flare for fashion. She was a gracious hostess and fabulous cook. She will be greatly missed by many in Bermuda as well as London.”

Tom Butterfield, founder and creative director at Masterworks, said: “A light has gone out on a brilliant, brave and talented star.

“Her approach to painting was never rapid; rather studied and very intentional. We thank her for participating and shall miss her talent, wisdom and good humour.

“Molly was a Charman Prize winner four years ago and we are therefore delighted that the museum has her winning piece in the permanent collection. Her entry this year has been a very popular piece.”

Mr Butterfield added: “It came to our attention that the piece entered in this year’s Charman Prize was to be her last for reasons given to cancer, through which she bravely fought and continued to create.”

Nzingha Ming, gallery director for the Bermuda Society of the Arts, said the organisation was deeply saddened to hear of Ms Godet’s passing.

Ms Ming said: “She exhibited her beautiful watercolours in some of BSoA’s members shows. Molly was very supportive of all the galleries on island.

“She had a sharp wit and was a wonderful person to know. Our thoughts are with her family and close friends during this difficult time.”

In Friday’s House of Assembly, opposition MP Trevor Moniz recalled Ms Godet as a “very powerful, creative and wonderful personality”.

Ms Godet studied graphic design at Hornsey College of Art in London before finding work with several international agencies.

During her career, she worked in film, television, print and radio, and only turned her attention to painting in 2005 when she returned to the island.

She was a regular member of the Bermuda Plein Air Group and some of her watercolours have been accepted into the permanent collections at the Bermuda National Gallery and the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art.

Her painting Green Man Gombey, depicting a palm tree interpreted as a gombey, was awarded the Charman Prize in 2012.

The judges described the work as a “mature, confident watercolour”, praising Ms Godet’s mastery of the medium.

Services for Ms Godet will be held in London and in Bermuda, and her family have asked for donations to be made to St John’s Hospice in London in lieu of flowers.

She is survived by her children, Charlie and Eve.