Now, daughter, Caroline Troncossi, is following the artistic path.

By Beverley Causey-Smith Carole Holding is a talented watercolour artist with immense vision and energy who has the gift of capturing the beautiful hues of colours so abundant in Bermuda.

She has mastered two new works this year which can be viewed and purchased in her Hamilton and branch stores in St. George's and Dockyard.

`Paw paw at Montespan Cottage' is about a cottage on Keith Hall Road. When asked about why she chose this cottage to paint she said: "I was inspired to paint Montespan Cottage as it catches my eye as I drive past it fairly regularly; it is close to my home on Harbour Road.

"The house has many lovely Bermudian architectural features - for example, the old fanlight above the door, the key stones above the window and the steep roof which catches the rainwater. These are some of the features that really appeal to me when I consider painting a building.'' Another Bermuda scene painted this year is `Shutters With Jasmine' . Ms Holding explained: I was inspired to paint this scene as it is typically Bermudian. This window is on the south side of my home, `Watercolours', looking through the house to Hamilton Harbour. The jasmine grows happily (I talk to my plants) under the kitchen window.

This painting was commissioned by the cruise ship Crown Dynasty to name one of the suites on the ship after the Bermuda flower, jasmine.

Also in the Hamilton store are the works of Ms Holding's daughter, Caroline Troncossi, who describes herself as an abstract artist. Her recent work is horizontal lines of amazing oil colours on canvas.

"As an abstract artist I relate to the work of the late well known New York artist, Mark Rothko. When you gaze into my larger pieces you get a tranquil escaping feeling.

"Colours help people deal with emotion and my blues and greens make you want to dive in and swim around,'' said Ms Troncossi.

She plans to have a March show at the Burnaby Gallery where she will be showing new and different art.

The family business is stocked for Christmas with delicious jams, mustards and chutneys which are specially prepared for Carole Holding Studios under the guidance of Ms Holding, who is a professionally trained chef and Dame de la Rotisseur.

Her banana jam with Gosling's Black Seal rum has recently (October) undergone recipe revisions and is proving to be extremely popular. Mustards are priced at $4.50 for a 8 ounce jar, and the jams/chutneys are $6 each for a 12 ounce jar.

In addition, any of her jams, mustards and chutneys can now be shipped to the US either from the shop or through www.bermudashopper.com In September 2000, Ms Holding launched her chopping board line. The first design has already sold out, but the Bermuda fruit design is still available, and priced at $9.95.

If you wish to purchase something from the store all products can be purchased at any of the three Carole Holding locations -Town Square, St. George; Front Street, Hamilton; and in the Clocktower Mall, Dockyard.

Her full range of prints can be ordered via the internet at www.caroleholding.com and shipping is free to the US during December.

In addition, if you know what products you want to order, you can send an e-mail to carole y caroleholding.bm and your products will be delivered free Islandwide . You can't beat that for service! Carole Holding with one of her latest works, `Paw Paw at Montespan Cottage', located on Keith Hall Road. She also launched a chopping board line this September, the first design has sold out but the Bermuda fruit one would make a sweet gift for any kitchen at $9.95. (Pictured on the lower right.) Caroline Troncossi, modern artist, paints abstracts.

ARTISTS ART