Art in Bermuda has undergone a dynamic transformation since Carole Holding took up painting as a hobby more than 25 years ago.

"The art scene in Bermuda has taken leaps and bounds,'' she says.

"We've now got all these youngsters challenging the art world. They have no hang-ups and they don't worry about the public as much.'' Carole rose from painting casually in between taking care of her small children to becoming one of the most commercially successful artists in Bermuda -- painting watercolours that capture the essence of the Island for tourists. She has a gentle, humble manner that belies the shrewd businesswoman beneath, and she regards her livelihood with well-mannered grace.

"I really took art up as a hobby,'' she says. "I think that's where the Bermuda Society of the Arts was at that time. I sat on the governing body of the Society. Except for a few people, for most artists then it was a hobby.

"The art scene in Bermuda back then definitely wasn't as intense. The Bermudian community had blinkers on in terms of any type of modern or abstract art.

"Now we've got home-grown Bermudians going away to art schools and coming back having been exposed to many new things. They've really shaken up the art scene a lot.'' She uses her daughter, Caroline, as an example.

Carole says: "We're like a big town, so when somebody has been exposed to all that culture and they're only 25 years old it's pretty incredible.

"Caroline's really broadened my horizons, because I've not had the training she's had.'' Carole points out that abstract art is not novel to most visitors to the Island, however.

"The tourists from the cities have that exposure if they want it. They come to Bermuda and I'm sure those that want to will go to the National Gallery, for example, and see the diversity of Bermuda's artwork. However, they also want something of a souvenir of their holiday.'' She says: "Many young artists in Bermuda are pushing themselves to do new things. However, you don't want to ignore tourists, because they want something that looks like Bermuda.'' "I believe that tourists perceive Bermuda as sandy beaches, blue water, and pink cottages, and they want to take some of that home with them.'' "I enjoy meeting and greeting the tourists and getting their feedback. People that bought my work years ago will return to the Island and tell me how much they still enjoy my work -- I find that very gratifying.'' "What I've done -- what I've interpreted -- is what they perceive Bermuda to be. They've taken a look around and that is the Bermuda that they see. That is why I am successful.'' A stroll through any one of Carole Holding's three sales studios on the Island and a wait in the long lines at the cash registers are proof that Carole Holding and the pink cottage have remained steadfast amid the blossoming of art in Bermuda.