Described as "a rising star'' in his native island of St. Croix, 24-year-old Luca Gasperi is the illustrator and designer of Daniel Blagg's `Bermuda Atlas and Gazeteer', due out next month.

"When I saw what he had produced, I was so impressed that I decided to re-negotiate the printing arrangements so that all of his artwork could be reproduced in full colour,'' says Mr. Blagg.

His 400-page volume which has taken six years of paintstaking research into the origins of Bermuda's place names, has illustrations and 14 newly devised, fold-out maps in full colour.

Besides the watercolour pictures that introduce each parish, Mr. Gasperi has also created a set of illustrations to highlight Bermuda's well-known parish or `Gombey' rhymes.

"I think this gives the book a nice mix of humour along with the information,'' says the artist, who trained at the Parsons School of Design in New York. "It also represented a wonderful chance to do figurative painting -- not just landscapes -- because this is a book that is about Bermuda and the lives of its people.'' Mr. Gasperi, who is based in New York where he works as a graphic designer, says the entire project represented a huge change for him because "I spend most of my time doing ads for things like sodas, or some product I don't really care about''.

The book even boasts Mr. Gasperi's own customised typography and design, which he has christened `Bermuda'. "I looked around for appropriate styles but couldn't find any I really liked so I decided to design my own. It's a mix of old and new styles and I spent a lot of time looking at old maps for inspiration.'' Revealing that he first met Dan Blagg as a 13-year-old pupil at his St. Croix school, Mr. Gasperi says: "He taught history and was one of those teachers who really seemed to care about and encourage the students. I also had a great art teacher, Cindy Male, who also pushed me a lot and made sure I took the necessary exams to get into college.'' While at the Parsons School, he confined his painting to art shows back in St.

Croix: "There was a feeling that the Parsons people wanted you to paint their way. I felt I couldn't develop my own `vision' so I decided to have my own little painting retreat back home.'' While at the school, he won first prize for a silk screen. "It was a juried show and the first time I'd even tried it -- so that tells you something about juries! My teacher pushed me to enter and she had worked with Andy Warhol (who was famous for his silk screens) so I guess she knew what she was talking about.'' Admitting it was "quite a shock'' to go from St. Croix to New York, Mr.

Gasperi points out the Caribbean island, while four times larger than Bermuda, has roughly the same population.

"My parents were originally from Italy but I was born there. My parents have a farm and although they thought I was embarking on a hard career, they have been very supportive and we have a wonderful relationship! St. Croix has also been very kind and supportive, and all my shows have been very well received.'' Now on his fifth visit to Bermuda, he has spent "a lot of time'' painting Bermuda scenes. "The light is certainly bright here,'' he agrees, "but on past visits the weather was cooler and the air crisper than in the Caribbean.

I think it's cleaner here!'' The biggest difference between his home -- which he describes as "hilly and very beautiful'' with everything from sugar plantations to long ridges of mountains -- is the division of seasons. "When I came here at Easter, for instance, there was the wonderful change of colours in the fiddlewoods.'' He wishes, however, that Bermuda was less populated. "I notice that, coming from St. Croix'', he says, and expresses concern that Bermuda is in danger of losing its few remaining wild spots.

"It seems developed and very manicured! As an artist, I think the wild places are very important and I would hate to see any more of the Island caught up in development. I wish I could have seen it about 100 years ago, before the big real estate boom.

"I do think that Bermuda is one of the prettiest places I have seen and the houses and gardens are certainly well looked after.'' Signed copies of The Bermuda Atlas and Gazetteer may be pre-purchased prior to July 31 for a special price of $120. This includes a Collector's Portfolio by Mr. Gasperi of the 14 full-colour maps. For details, please telephone 236-0098 or 232-2394.

`ST. GEORGE'S PEOPLE . . .' -- One of Luca Gasperi's illustrations for the `Bermuda Atlas and Gazeteer' by Daniel Blagg. This painting illustrates a traditional parish rhyme, `St. George's people are so poor, they see you coming and slam the door'.