Visitors to Saint-Pierre and Miquelon might have noticed a distinctive figure over the past few days: an elderly woman sitting on a small red stool, brush in hand, capturing the essence of the French archipelago through her paintings. That woman is Peggy Holt, a 75-year-old retired art teacher from Fredericton, New Brunswick, who has been making the most of her four-day visit to the islands.
Holt, who happens to be the mother-in-law of Suzanne Holt, the newly elected first female Premier of New Brunswick, has been spotted throughout the archipelago painting its colorful houses, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant scenery. "As long as it's colorful and joyful, I paint!" she says with an enthusiastic smile.
A retired plastic arts teacher, Holt recalls always having a brush in her hand. "I absolutely love painting," she declares with visible emotion. As a child, her artist father would give her and her siblings bowls of paint and set them up on the floor of his shop, allowing them to freely express their creativity.
Today, even in retirement, the soon-to-be 75-year-old continues her passion for sharing techniques and her love for art. She teaches very young children at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton, working with students between the ages of 2 and 5. But Peggy also teaches older students, giving classes at Fredericton's retirement home. "My oldest student was 99 years old – she just recently passed away – but I like to say that I mentor artists from 2 to 99 years old!"
While this is Holt's first visit to the Saint-Pierre and Miquelon archipelago, she's no stranger to traveling for her artistic passion. Alaska, Iceland, Ireland – Peggy has anecdotes to share about each journey and each painting, and there are many of them. The truth is, Peggy paints under all circumstances. Rain, sunshine, wind, or even snow – nothing stops her. "When it snows and it's cold, I use vodka so my paint doesn't freeze – it's very effective!" she explains.
This all-terrain artist is also highly organized. In her bag, she carries everything needed to avoid being caught off guard during a painting session: her stool (the famous red stool), a rigid cardboard board for comfort, an umbrella in case the sky falls on her head, pencils, watercolors, and her two brushes.
Peggy and her husband Happy had heard about Saint-Pierre and Miquelon so many times that they knew they would visit someday. "We've been to Newfoundland six times in the past five years to visit family. This time, we had to come to the archipelago," she explains. It was while watching SPM la 1ère, which is also broadcast in Canada, that they decided to embark on this adventure.
The journey involved several days of travel from North Sydney – by ferry, then by car. Multiple hours on the road and at sea finally brought them to set foot on the islands. "We're delighted and we'll definitely come back!" Holt enthuses.
In less than 72 hours, the artist had already painted 12 small canvases. "They're not all finished, but they're well advanced. I do take a photo to work on the details later at home, but I prefer painting on location," she notes.
And on location, she's never alone. Happy, her husband, is never far away. While Peggy paints, he reads. "I'm on my third novel in three days..." the man smiles, casting a knowing glance at his wife. Happy Holt is both admiring and equally passionate as his spouse. "He told me that if I should pass away before him, he would organize a big exhibition to honor me," Peggy confides.
But this grand exhibition isn't something she plans to wait for. "In April, I'm going to celebrate my 75th birthday. We'll organize a big exhibition and sale in Fredericton, and we'll celebrate my birthday at the same time. People will be able to discover my works and eat cake and ice cream – it'll be a wonderful celebration!"
Holt's visit to Saint-Pierre and Miquelon represents more than just another artistic journey; it's a testament to her unwavering dedication to capturing the world's beauty through her art, regardless of age or weather conditions. Her infectious enthusiasm and lifelong commitment to both creating and teaching art continue to inspire those around her, from her youngest students to fellow travelers who encounter her distinctive red stool and easel in the most unexpected places.
