What is the song within your life, and how does journaling help you hear it?
The inner work underlying creative work.
The Heron Dance Art Studio
Order the hardcover first edition here.
Read more about the book here.
. . . the devotion required to construct such a work is inspirational in itself. A multifaceted and heartfelt exploration of creative life.
(You can read the rest of the Kirkus Review here.)
Reviews of Nurturing the Song Within on Amazon:
Nurturing The Song Within Art Journal - Highly Recommended
Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2025
The "Nurturing the Song Within" Art Journal by Roderick MacIver of Heron Dance is a true masterpiece of creativity. Each page is a vibrant testament to the beauty of MacIver's artwork and ingenuity. I recommend purchasing the art journal for yourself or as a meaningful gift for anyone seeking to transform their perspective on artistic expression!
Deeply satisfying and beautiful!
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2025
Format: Hardcover
This is a work for other creative souls, or those curious about the creative life, or even those just interested in living a more meaningful life. The book asks deep questions and encourages the reader to ask themselves deep questions. All of it set to the backdrop of Rods stunning artwork. Honestly, every time I picked up this book and read a few pages and looked at (and into) the artwork, I invariably felt better afterward. That’s a pretty great gift for a book to give.
A gift for the Soul
Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2024
Format: Hardcover
Nurturing the Song Within is a gift of beauty and inspiration. A visual feast for the senses, rekindling dormant creativity, nudging the imagination and dreams into action——-Baby Steps——Leaps!
Rod MacIver has created a work whose vision flows from the page into the readers spirit. Mystical/magical water color’s supported by words of wisdom from the Ages and Sages provide a porthole to the "search for the thing that is searching for you."
"What are you living for?" WHAT are you waiting for? First buy this book as a gift for yourself, then again and again for everyone you treasure!
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.
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
Order the hardcover first edition here.
. . .
Beautiful hardcover books printed by a quality art book printer on premium paper with Smyth-sewn layflat binding.
Less expensive ($9.99) 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.
. . .
You can view sample pages of the Art Journal here.
. . .
Each is full color, 190 or more pages in length.
Each page contains a painting and journal prompt or reflection.
On one level, I’ve spent two years creating this book; on another a lifetime.
These books are as powerful, useful, and as beautiful as I can make them.
. . .
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.
The Tao Te Ching Journal: A Path To Inner Quiet
Zen Mountain Journal blends Taoist hermit poetry, contemplative art, and reflections drawn from a lifetime shaped by wilderness, solitude, and decades doing creative work on the outer boundaries of our culture. These journals are companions for seekers — guides in the reconnection with inner quiet, beauty, and the “soundless music” of a life lived with simplicity and meaning.
• Size: 9.25 × 8.5 inches — convenient size for desk or lap.
• Hardcover — the book can be written in without a table or desk.
• Double wire-o bound to lay flat.
• Printed on Mohawk Superfine, a premium uncoated paper for a beautiful writing surface.
• 160 pages.
