In creative work, go to where your feet are not quite touching the bottom

I think it is terribly dangerous for an artist to fulfill other peoples’ expectations. They produce their worst work when they do that. If you feel safe in the area you are working in, you’re not working in the right area. Always go a little further into the water than you feel you are capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth and when your feet are quite touching the bottom, you are just about in the right place to do something exciting.
      - David Bowie

Abstract art is that for me -- exciting, dangerous. The painting of moods or emotions designed to inspire moods and emotions in others. These paintings set the tone of a room. 

I know that my patrons, my customer base, in general are not interested in abstract art, so there is that too -- new waters, an idea that draws energy despite the apparent impracticality.

This post from the online publication Journal Meditations of a Working Artist (formerly known as The Journals of Archibald Campbell, Wild Artist) is sent to you as the first in a series of five. In part it is offered as a thank you for signing up, and in part to acquaint you with the work of Heron Dance Art Studio.

  • After the series of five is complete, you will receive these posts, as a free subscriber, twice a month.

  • Paid Members (discretionary contribution) receive these two to four times a week. You can become a Member here.

  • You can order print editions of recent Heron Dance books, here.

  • Everything Heron Dance does and offers summarized here.

  • Projects and Random Thoughts: What’s happening behind the scenes at Heron Dance.

  • For the art and words in this post, visit here. The paintings are larger there. There’s also an update on the next book, now tentatively entitled Creativity as a Way of Life: Journal Meditations of a Working Artist

Heron Dance Books

Creativity as a Way of Life: Journal Meditations of a Working Artist

This book has been rethought and is being redesigned with as a book of abstract paintings with short inspirational thoughts and quotes on living as a creative outsider and doing creative work.

  • Publication now anticipated in February or March.

There are still a few copies of the first edition of Nurturing the Song Within available. This is a premium art book with a Smyth-sewn lay flat binding printed by on high. quality art paper. It explores the inner work underlying creative work and the creation of a unique life.

Each day two-page spread includes a painting and journal notes on living a creative, meaningful life.

  • Hardcover first edition with dust jacket. $95 including shipping and taxes. Order here.

  • PDF $9.99 including tax. Order here.

  • More information here.

Below, two sample pages from my recent art journal, and the related diary/planner
Nurturing The Song Within

There are a few copies of the first edition (hardcover, dust jacket, premium art paper) still available. After they are sold out, we don’t plan to republish, at least in that format.

A mockup of the first two pages of the new book, Meditations on Gratitude, Beauty and Mystery. It is available now as a PDF, and in the next few days as a hardcover.

A mockup of the first two pages of the new book, Meditations on Gratitude, Beauty and Mystery. It is available now as a PDF, and in the next few days as a hardcover.

A mockup of two pages of the new book, Meditations on Gratitude, Beauty and Mystery.

Front cover, The Pausing For Beauty Poetry Diary. PDF and Softcover (Lay Flat, wire-o binding) versions available. Visit here.

Two interior pages, The Pausing For Beauty Poetry Diary. PDF and Softcover (Lay Flat, wire-o binding) versions available. Visit here.