Carole Holding: The Iconic Bermuda Watercolor Artist and Her Legacy

 

 

Updated: August 2026 

If you have ever flipped through a vintage Bermuda guidebook or browsed a local gallery, you have likely seen the unmistakable pastel brushstrokes of Carole Holding. 

 

She is one of the island's most recognized watercolorists. Her dreamy depictions of pink sand beaches and limestone moongates define Bermuda nostalgia for countless travelers. 

 

Today, the way you experience her art has completely changed. Whether you want to buy a vintage print or stay at her private guesthouse, here is exactly what you need to know for your trip. 

 

At a Glance

 

 

 

Is Carole Holding Still Alive? (Clearing Up the Confusion)

 

In late 2024, a massive wave of national news covered the passing of Carol Holding. She was the 95-year-old billionaire matriarch of Idaho's famous Sun Valley Resort. Because their names are virtually identical, this sparked immediate confusion among Bermuda travelers. 

 

Let me clear this up right now. The beloved Bermuda artist Carole Holding is alive, well, and actively running her bed and breakfast. The two women simply shared a very similar name. You can absolutely still support the Bermuda artist today by booking a room at her property or tracking down her vintage works. 

 

Who is Carole Holding?

 

Carole arrived in Bermuda from the UK in 1968 and quickly made her mark painting outdoors. You will recognize her signature style instantly if you spend any time looking at local art. She perfectly captures the soft, humid light bouncing off white stepped roofs and historic lighthouses. 

 

Painting by Carole Holding, Bermuda 

 

 

Over the decades, she became a household name for tourists. She operated massive, bustling retail galleries across the island where cruise passengers would line up for signed prints. 

 

What Surprises Visitors the Most

 

Most people are surprised to discover that this renowned watercolorist is also a classically trained chef. Before opening her art galleries, she built a massive reputation for her culinary skills. 

 

In fact, her homemade pepper jellies, banana dolls, and black rum cakes have won international awards. While her art gets all the attention, her deep roots in Bermuda's culinary scene are just as impressive. 

 

Where to Buy Carole Holding Prints and Art Today

 

Do not expect to walk into her large retail stores anymore. Her famous physical locations, including the massive shop in the Clocktower Mall, are permanently closed. 

 

Today, the best way to buy her art is through online marketplaces. You can easily hunt down her vintage prints, lithographs, and bone china mugs on sites like eBay or Etsy before your trip. 

 

If you happen to visit Bermuda during the holiday season, keep an eye out for her seasonal pop-up stalls. She frequently sets up a pop-up shop inside the Washington Mall in the City of Hamilton. 

 

Stay at Carole Holding's Guesthouse in Bermuda

 

Booking a stay at her property, Watercolours, is the best way to experience her world today. Located in Warwick Parish, this property sits right on the scenic harbor waters. 

 

 

 

You can see rates on Booking.com if you want a quiet, artist-run retreat away from the mega-resorts. For a deep dive into the property's amenities and logistics, read my full Watercolours Bed and Breakfast review. 

 

Who This Is For / Who Should Skip

 

For: Collectors of Bermuda nostalgia who love pastel aesthetics. 

For: Budget-friendly print hunters who do not mind shopping online. 

For: Independent travelers looking for a quiet, locally run bed and breakfast. 

Skip: Skip this if you are a cruise passenger hoping to grab a quick souvenir at the Dockyard; those shops are long gone. 

 

Common Mistakes When Looking for Her Art

 

The biggest micro-friction I see is travelers relying on outdated maps and pre-2020 guidebooks. Do not waste a taxi fare heading to the Fairmont Southampton or Front Street looking for her name on a storefront. 

 

You will only find locked doors or completely new tenants. Save your time and do your shopping for her specific prints online. 

 

Pro-Tip: Navigating to Her Guesthouse 

If you are staying at Watercolours, rent a Twizy or a similar micro-car. The driveway and surrounding Warwick roads have some tight, blind corners. Having your own small vehicle makes getting to the nearby grocery stores much easier than walking up to Middle Road to catch the bus in the summer heat. 

 

Practical Details: Costs and Sourcing

 

If you want an original, hand-painted watercolor, expect to pay several thousand dollars through private art dealers. 

 

However, her unsigned vintage prints and lithographs are highly affordable. You can easily source these online for $20 to $90. Her bone china mugs, which make fantastic coffee-table souvenirs, usually float around the $25 mark on resale sites. 

 

Alternatives: Where to Find Local Bermuda Art Now

 

Since her main shops are gone, you still have great options in the exact same geographic footprint. Take the Blue Route ferry over to the Royal Naval Dockyard to browse the Bermuda Craft Market. 

 

This indoor market is packed with active local artists selling everything from cedar carvings to sea glass jewelry. You can also walk across the plaza to visit the Jon Faulkner Gallery. His handmade, salt-glazed ceramics are beautiful, durable, and survive the flight home perfectly. 

 

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