Joan Aspinall labelled her new book, 'Bermuda in Art... for lovers of Colour' – she wasn't kidding. Even a casual browse through the pages reveals colour which doesn't so much sing as shout "Enjoy Bermuda!" as image after eye-smacking image reveals the work of the Bermudian professional artist who is known for her vibrant palette and exuberant style.

"I have my own market which likes brilliant colours," she says.

Described by Ms Aspinall as "a virtual sightseeing tour" of our mid-Atlantic Island, the illustrations in 'Bermuda in Art' include a host of familiar elements: beaches and landmarks, flora and architecture.

Designed mainly – but not exclusively – with the visitor in mind who either wants a souvenir of his or her Bermuda stay or to use as a gift for others, the glossy, quarto-sized paperback is also a fine example of recycling.

CableVision general manager Terry Roberson, having seen the artist's previously published books 'Shoo Cat Shoo' and 'Road Toad', suggested that Ms Aspinall publish a book of the Bermuda scenes minus the creature characters.

Describing her images as "fun, whimsical and imaginative", the writer-illustrator reveals that, in 'Bermuda in Art', they represent a compilation taken from a collection of art prints and Bermuda scenes in her books, including 'Shoo Cat Shoo', 'Road Toad', 'The Tree Frog and the Poinsettia', and the soon-to-be-published 'West End Mayhem'.

An added feature is a glossary of information referencing each scene at the back of the book.

Thanks to modern technology, Ms Aspinall cleverly adapted the colour separations of 21 images used in her earlier books to largely remove the animal creatures, and replace them with scenically-compatible elements, such as local flowers.

"In the final version, there are 40 art images which we normally sell as matted art prints, so it really is my whole collection of art that we are selling to the local and tourist market in a one-book format," she says. "I think the book came out superbly.

"It will broaden my market and appeal to everybody. It is a book to be cherished by all lovers of Bermuda who want to remember the images of this technicoloured, magical Island — this jewel of the Atlantic — as it struggles to preserve the delicate balance between the over-abundant blessings of nature and man's encroaching over-development."

¦ 'Bermuda in Art' retails for $20 and is currently being distributed to book and drug stores around the Island, as well as at the Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard, Dockyard Linens and the City Market at Bulls Head on Saturdays. Ms Aspinall's e-mail address is pina@ibl.bm.