Engraving by Paul Jasper Copper Pig Woodworking

The Dragonfly Series #1 - During the collaborative process, Bob (@masswoodworks) and Paul (@copper_pig_fine_woodworking) would routinely trade ideas, discussing different design ideas harkening back to many wonderful eras in art history. One of their mutual favorites, The Art Nouveau movement, “was a reaction against the academic art, eclecticism and historicism of 19th century architecture and decoration. It was often inspired by natural forms such as the sinuous curves of plants and flowers. Other characteristics of Art Nouveau were a sense of dynamism and movement, often given by asymmetry or whiplash lines…” (Wikipedia entry) This marking gauge design (drawn by Paul) celebrates the Art Nouveau movement with an elegant symmetrical dragonfly along the bottom balanced by beautifully draping waterfall leaves across the top. Whipast lines and selective stippling adds a sense of contrast and movement to the design.