Nurturing The Song Within:
The inner work underlying creative work.
The Heron Dance Art Studio
Art Journal and Diary / Planner.
Order the hardcover first edition here. Order both the hardcover and the diary planner here.
Smyth sewn hardcover first edition printed by a quality art book printer.
There are still a few remaining. After these are sold out,
we don’t plan to print more in order to focus on the two Heron Dance Substacks.
Nurturing The Song Within explores the inner work out of which creative work and a unique human life evolve. It contains key insights from hundreds of interviews Heron Dance founder Roderick MacIver has conducted over the last thirty years of people who choose their own path in life, and persist through the challenges and setbacks to make their dreams real.
Those interviewed include artists, adventurers, activists, and people who devote their lives to serving others. The book explores the murky waters of deep imagination, friendship with one’s inner world, and how those inspire creativity. In the interviews, and through reflections on both those interviews and his own life, the author seeks to understand the hidden wellsprings that guide and provide the clarity and courage required to create a unique life. This is a book by someone who has done it –- who has been a fulltime working artist for thirty years. Over ninety of the author’s full color paintings accompany the reflections and interview excerpts in each volume of the two-book set.
A human life is an expression of ideas, of dreams, of courage and of discipline. Or the lack thereof. A life fully lived, a unique life, grows out of something deep – the essence of a human being. It evolves out of that which is sacred inside each of us. Its exact source is difficult to explain; it can however be sensed and understood.
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. . . the devotion required to construct such a work is inspirational in itself. A multifaceted and heartfelt exploration of creative life.
- Kirkus Review of Nurturing the Song Within Art Journal
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Reviews of the Art Journal on Amazon:
5.0 out of 5 stars Stunningly gorgeous and full of wisdom
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2024
I purchased this book from the author's website and am so glad that I did. The paintings are simply stunningly beautiful. This is printed on very high-quality paper, so it's like an art book. Each page has quotes from others or thoughts from the author. I pick pages at random to read each day before a meditation or journaling session. I started putting in bookmarks for my favorites and soon found that was pointless because I was adding bookmarks for both pages. This is available as an online version but I would strongly recommend getting the hardcover, because I don't think any monitor can do the paintings justice.
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2024
This book is like entering a dream. The images and quality of the book are overwhelmingly beautiful and delicate. Beyond the artwork comes the journaling. The quotes and stories become an awe-inspiring and emotional reflection of yourself and others. Each new page becomes a sanctuary for your thoughts, dreams, aspirations, and shared wisdom. This book is a gentle reminder that creativity is not a destination but a way of being—a celebration of life's beauty and complexities that is woven into the fabric of our everyday existence and being. I was inspired to let go of my fears and embrace the unknown, to turn any positives and negatives into something beautiful, whether that be through art, writing, or any other media form.
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful art, beautiful words
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2024
I purchased this from the artist’s website where I have been a follower for many years.
Rod blends his art with his thoughts, interviews and various readings to provide thought provoking insights.
I pick pages at random to read and discover that most of the time the content pertains to things that are going on in my life. This provides an insight into where I am and what I need to pay attention to.
I have a copy of this book in the waiting room of my accounting practice & have had clients comment about how beautiful it is.
5.0 out of 5 stars A Treasure !
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2024
This is a beautiful book filled with the amazing images from one who has lived close to Creation. The images are accompanied by words that will inspire and prompt deep reflection. What a gift Rod MacIver has given us!
5.0 out of 5 stars A truly nurturing book
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2024
Another beautiful book by Heron Dance.
Art in full color on every page. Fascinating quotes by artists and others fully engaged in life. Highly recommend.
One person found this helpful.
The Diary/Planner:
5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous and inspirational
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2024
The Heron Dance planner is gorgeous and a wonderful inspiration for one's own thoughts and imagination. It would make an exquisite gift for someone who loves nature art and quotes from naturalists, poets and other thinkers and creatives.
Helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Creatives get organized
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2024
Full color diary and planner. Lots of room for journal notes. Inspirational quotes, one per day. Inspiring book.
Order the hardcover first edition here. Order both the hardcover and the diary planner here.
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Beautiful hardcover books printed by a quality art book printer on premium paper with Smyth-sewn layflat binding.
Less expensive ($25) PDF versions are also available here.
The books are 11 x 8.5 inches in size so that the PDFs can be downloaded and printed on home computers.
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You can view sample pages of the Art Journal here.
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Each is full color, 190 or more pages in length.
Each page contains a painting and journal prompt or reflection.
The art journal and the associated planners are designed to be used together,
but are both are also functional and useful on their own.
On one level, I’ve spent two years creating them; on another a lifetime.
These books are as powerful, useful, and as beautiful as I can make them.
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There are now a couple of payment options including four equal monthly installments. Select Afterpay on checkout.
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Visit here for a behind-the-scenes look at what is going on at Heron Dance,
and an update on current projects and on current thinking.
