When the Crown Dynasty sails into Bermuda for the first time next month, it will be with many watercolours by well-known artist and Bermuda resident Mrs.

Carole Holding on board.

Mrs. Holding was commissioned by Crown Cruise Line to produce original paintings, one for each of its ten suites. Her directive was to paint the flowers the cruise line specified, and in shades to match the corresponding colour schemes.

A feather in any artist's cap, Mrs. Holding describes the assignment as "an exciting challenge'' since she had never painted some of the flowers before.

"It gave me a free hand and allowed me to be creative in presenting the ten flowers the way I chose,'' she relates.

Normally, the artist paints flowers from life, but in this instance that wasn't always possible, so she relied on her friends to help.

"Some were not in bloom, and others I had never seen in my life. There was one which I was able to paint the leaves from real life, but had to rely on memory for the blossoms.'' "Many people were helpful in assisting me, including Michael Darling who provided a spectacular orchid, my neighbour Joy Lusher the magnolia leaves, and Ann Francis, whose gardenia miraculously bloomed early,'' Mrs. Holding says.

Unable to find English violets in bloom, the artist consulted Mr. Gerald Tatem of Aberfeldy Nurseries, and learned about the Bermuda wild violet. Incredibly, while out driving one day in search of ferns, Mrs. Holding stopped her car on a whim, and there, before her eyes, was a lone specimen.

"It was weird, I still can't get over it,'' Mrs. Holding admits.

Given just a few months to complete the entire assignment, the artist overcame these and other obstacles to successfully produce the beautiful group of floral paintings, and the commissioned works are in addition to previously supplied Holding works which are dotted throughout the ship.

For those who, for one reason or another, won't be sailing on the Crown Dynasty , there is good news.

"Several of these new floral paintings will be produced as Limited Editions,'' the artist promises, "including Michael's Orchid, The Fountain Garden and Violets, and Bermuda Shutters with Jasmine.'' For further information, please telephone Mrs. Holding at 236-6002 or 296-3431, or visit her newly-created web side: www.caroleholding.com.