// project: book cover //

It needed a new cover, so... I was able to use a real photo of Gaudenzia for reference which is cool. Acrylic on fabric #painting #acrylic #gaudenzia #margueritehenry #book #artista #horse #lettering #bookcover #coverart #read #horsebook #italia #palio #cavallo

A photo posted by nina derespino (@ninette1998) on Jan 29, 2016 at 2:04pm PST

Thought I'd share this project I did this afternoon.... I used THIS tutorial to cover a book( the only difference with a softcover is that you trim the tabs at the spine instead of tucking them in.) Then I used acrylics to paint the design. I did a layout sketch first, I really did, but I messed up somewhere and so the letters aren't centered. Next time I'll be more careful:) The horse and lettering was free-handed. Anyways, I hope to try to share more creative/art/etc. posts here as time goes on... also, I'd love to have guest posts if anyone's interested (and can walk me through how to do that;)

 And, you should read this book. Even though it has an ugly original cover in the current paperback edition:) It's simple and lovely and set in Italy... It's one of those horse books you read as a kid but then actually continue to like. Marguerite Henry was one of, if not my favorite authors when I was little and liked horses. And although I don't love horses now(actually I'm a little scared of them, but still love to paint them) and like other author better, her books still hold a special place in my heart.

p.s. if you're on Instagram, prepare to be disappointed by mine- it's all art and I'm still working towards what I want my aesthetic to be. My sister, however, has artsy photography so if you're looking for that vibe, check her out @rynd01

// i would believe in magic //

via pinterest

// i would believe in magic

if i didn't know there was Something Greater //

// perhaps //

via pinterest

Many people say he's plain- well, perhaps he is.

 But then, perhaps they've never seen the way his eyes flash when his face lights up with that smile of his. His smile- it's like a sudden flash of lightening across a stormy summer sky. Powerful, more than a little dangerous- but so wildly beautiful.

And they have never heard the way his voice can roll, like the sea. Gentle at times, fierce at times, but always so deep and and sure.

 Perhaps they don't see it because he doesn't show them... or perhaps he doesn't show them because they wouldn't see.

But I do. And so, I can never think him plain.

~H.D.

xxx I wrote this a while back. It is not about anyone specific, if you're wondering. just a muse I guess. xxx

// you say you want to be alone //

via pinterest

you say you want to be alone.

but i watch you
and i've seen your sad eyes watching others

and i think you don't want to be alone at all

you've just convinced yourself you should be.

after all it is easiest
not quite so frightening

but then if a lifetime alone
all alone
isn't scary
i don't know what is

you're not so very old you know
and you should believe the mirror that tells you you're pretty still

i saw you the other day
when that gentleman walked by you on the street
he looked at you and smiled
and your cheeks flamed just like roses
and you smiled back

you really are pretty

we girls all think so.
you have no idea
we all look at you when you go by
in your pretty plain dress
and secretly wish we were faded and mysterious
and sad
just for a day, to try it out

folks say we young are fools
in love, in life
but the old are fools too
in love and in life

for they often let them drift by
to show us how much better it would be to be wise

but is it more foolish to make a mistake
or to prudently shake your head
or just to pick a nosegay because

flowers are young too
and they share our knowledge
that your beauty doesn't have to die when color does

open your window
open your door
take a step outside
look across the street to the park

did you play here too?
i wonder.
the roses are blooming in the city garden
walk a little farther
take a look.

the gentleman from the other day is here too.
he walks here often.
he does love roses.

they have a scent and warmth
he misses in the office sounds
and drab colors
of his paper world.

does he want to be alone?

or did he, maybe, come walking
looking for those roses again
like you came looking for
a paper poem.

we are all fools
in love, in life
old and young

but there are times when
the greatest wisdom is
 what some call folly,
and the truly wise know is
anything but.

xxx i think i write more to excavate my own psyche more than anything else. oh well. if you like the diggings well enough to read them maybe you can forge them into some sort of shovel to help dig you out too. or just enjoy them for face value since maybe that's all they really are. who knows. xxx

// paralyzed by thoughts //

via pinterest

O the agony of being paralyzed

by your own thoughts! To be always

thinking, thinking, of all that should and

could be done, yet stricken by fear of

failure or effort, never doing anything

at all!!

October 14 2015

// doubts //

I wish I could get rid of it.

The vague sense of uneasiness

The tiny whisper inside that

no matter what I'm doing

it's wrong.

I'm wrong.

And when it grows into a persistent murmur 

that everything's wrong

and I have everything backwards

My thoughts go double and start

to spin.

Is what I believe a vapor,

instead of a rock?

Is the world right?

Can my God be trusted?

Is He even there?

Of course these doubts can't stand

but they turn my stomach,

it sinks like the gaze of a guilty criminal

and sometimes it sinks so low

that the windows of my soul

seem dark and streaked with freezing rain

that sometimes turn to burning tears 

on my cheeks.

But this too shall pass.

Rosy sunshine will disperse the dark.

That vague sense of uneasiness 

retreats for the moment.

And my Savior seems so close

and so trustworthy.

Maybe even close to as trustworthy as He is.

And though I can't get rid of it

(that vague sense of my own uneasiness)

Maybe it's not a bad thing.

Maybe these whispers are in there for a reason.

Because if you have no doubts,

you can  walk on water yourself.

But when the doubts begin to drown you,

Jesus puts out His wounded hands

and pulls you into His safety.

Where else should I want to be?

written September 13, 2015

// currently musing- ballet //

xxx all images via pinterest xxx