As part of my three-year illustration diploma, I developed a project for scientific books aimed at secondary schools.
I chose the lifecycle of the dragonfly, an animal that has always intrigued me. Delicate and almost alien in appearance, it’s actually a skilled predator—this contrast inspired my work.
The dragonfly, a beloved Art Nouveau symbol often seen in jewelry, came naturally to me as inspiration. In my hometown, Turin, you literally walk surrounded by this art—frescoes, ornate ironwork, and flowing window shapes make it easy to breathe in that style.
I illustrated four scenes: the adult insect resting on a lotus bud, its natural wetland habitat, the hearth-shaped mating phase, and a frog ambushing it as prey—using watercolor and pen nib ink for expressive detail.
