---

Using a paintbrush and a bike, Molly Smith began wandering through Bermuda’s eastern parishes nearly 20 years ago; now, her coffee table book on the subject has been printed just in time for Christmas.

Smith, 84, traveled throughout the parishes armed with watercolour and pen and ink supplies. Paintings in her book, Discovering Bermuda with Paintbrush and Bike, were often done on location. The paintings are accompanied by histories and anecdotes about the areas depicted.

Smith said, in a press release: “It had distressed me to hear a few people say that there was nothing to do in Bermuda,” said Mrs. Smith. “So it was my intention to remind visitors and residents of the joy to be had in discovering the old architecture and other treasures around the island.”

Born in India in 1921, Smith came to Bermuda with her husband Joe in 1946. After retiring from a demanding law office post in 1986, she began to paint and draw on a full-time basis, and the result of that is Discovering Bermuda with Paintbrush and Bike. She added: “It was a great thrill to actually hold that beautifully printed book in my hand. It was started in 1986 as a retirement project and to express appreciation for the many happy years my husband and I have had on the island.”

Discovering Bermuda with Paintbrush and Bike will be officially launched on Thursday, December 8 at Masterworks’ Rose Garden Gallery in the Botanical Gardens from 5.30-7pm.

Original artwork from the book will be on sale. The book is available from Bermuda Bookstore and other local bookstores.[[In-content Ad]]

---