NURTURING THE SONG WITHIN

MacIver, a working artist and the founder of the Vermont-based Heron Dance Art Studio, offers an illustrated guide to applying personal insight to artistic pursuits.

The author organizes his book around the idea that “creating art is wonderful, but not nearly as wonderful as creating a life of beauty.” It’s a self-help work that explores how such notions of creativity relate to the examination of one’s own life. Amid vivid watercolor images by the author on every page—usually depicting aspects of nature, such as a forest or a flock of birds in flight—MacIver dispenses ideas in small doses. Advice includes taking the time necessary to construct a thoughtful work, and a recommendation to keep a journal, in which one should “talk to your Muse as if it is a person.” Perseverance is a key element: “One distinguishing characteristic of great artists is their willingness to experiment and fail.” Other pages are devoted to illustrations alone, such as one awash with hues of blue and purple inspired by the author’s time on the north shore of Lake Superior. It’s clear from the get-go that MacIver has put a great deal of passion, research, and effort into the work. The material never feels half-hearted, whether it’s selected anecdotes about creative artists such as Bob Dylan and Billie Holiday, questions such as “What do you want to get out of this strange, precious gift of life?,” or an image of a solitary white owl. Quotations, such as one from poet Tess Gallagher (“You can’t go deep until you slow down”) also support the text. Several of the book’s insights have great potency, as in observations on the importance of allowing a creative vision to evolve. On the other hand, some tips are rather obvious, such as that one should have a financial reserve (or at least a day job) that allows on to pursue one’s artistic activities, and the notion that “it takes courage to offer beauty and love to the world.” Still, the devotion required to construct such a work is inspirational in itself.

A multifaceted and heartfelt exploration of creative life.