these days, it is his trusty sketch pad.

Since arriving in mid-November to be the artist-in-residence at Masterworks' Terrace Gallery in Dockyard, not a day has passed without him recording brief details of people, places and things which have caught his eye in his travels around the Island.

Later, during quiet nights spent in the Gallery's studio, Mr. Gesperi transposes these myriad images into full-blown water colours capturing many facets of local life.

The system represents something of a departure for the artist, who formerly relied more on his camera as an aide-memoire until a fellow artist in Italy caused him to reconsider.

"There is an art movement which is called natural art,'' he recounts. "I was talking to an artist and he said, `Why do you take pictures? Nature and beauty have to be seen in the moment'. That definitely stuck with me, and this is the first time I have worked so extensively using the sketch system. Now that I know I can do it and am happy with the result, it is almost like, `Why travel with a camera when I can travel with a sketch book?' '' Whether it is in nearby Somerset, where he walks, or travelling in a bus, Mr.

Gesperi usually has but moments to sketch what takes his fancy -- be it someone walking down the street, ploughing a field, whitewashing a roof, or gardening. The big details he carries in his mind -- the colour of the water or building, the movement of trees, geographical details, the play of light, body language, for example -- until he gets back to his brushes.

"By working in this way you record the sense and image as you are painting.

You are building colour and atmosphere. It is a wonderful way to paint,'' the award-winning artist explains. "When you are working from life or a photograph you think, `That is how it is', and you automatically do it, but in working like this you are the creator.'' No stranger to Bermuda -- he had a one-man exhibition in the Edinburgh Gallery in 1998, and also did all of the artwork for Mr. Daniel Blagg's book, `The Bermuda Atlas and Gazetteer,' -- Mr. Gesperi is conscientious about his painting, and has used the time wisely to create a new Bermuda series for his forthcoming show, which is to be entitled `Bermuda from Life.' "I came to paint, not to socialise,'' he explains. "I travel by day and paint by night, and I have totally enjoyed it. In fact, it's been terrific.'' Being familiar with the Island's main attractions, the artist has deliberately eschewed them this time 'round, focussing instead on other subjects, and farms in particular.

"I am a farmer too,'' the native of St. Croix, Virgin Islands, explains. "I grow vegetables for the local market, mainly hotels.'' Born in 1973 on a cattle ranch on the rural south shore of St. Croix, Mr.

Gesperi developed a strong affinity for the surrounding environment as he grew up. Not surprisingly, wherever he goes today, he likes to paint scenes with the idea of preserving the environment and culture, both of which he feels are in grave need of conservation.

Like St. Croix, the artist senses that Bermuda is also at a crossroads, with its natural beauty and people enduring the same environmental and cultural challenges as his own island.

Through his paintings, he hopes to motivate the younger generation to feel proud of their Island; to realise that physical beauty reflects a country's people, and that respect for the land can bring self-respect and prosperity to its inhabitants.

Mr. Gesperi is a graduate of the Parsons School of Design in New York, where he received his Bachelor of Fine Art degree in Communication Design in 1994.

He worked in New York as a graphic designer for nine years, but decided that sitting at a computer all day was not for him, so he returned to St. Croix, which he describes as his favourite place on earth "because it is home and very dear to me''.

He has, however, travelled extensively to paint, visiting North Carolina, Connecticut, St. Thomas and St. John in the Virgin Islands, and also Italy.

Of all the places he has visited, however, he likes Bermuda's light the best.

"It is amazing -- probably the brightest I have ever seen,'' he enthuses.

Mr. Gesperi has won numerous awards for his work, and participated in many exhibitions in St. Croix, New York, and Italy.

*** Bermuda From Life will open at Masterworks Gallery on Front Street on January 11 and continue through January 31. For futher information telephone 295-5580.