Charon Henning on Exploring Authenticity & Creativity(Pt. 2)

Greetings!

My guest today is Charon Henning, illustrator, fine artist, and dear friend.

I first met Charon almost twenty years ago, on what turned out to be our first day at George Mason University as adult learners. Charon has been a performer, a tattoo artist, a bartender, and now has a working illustration studio in rural Vermont, where she lives with her wife and two cats (who make appearances during our conversation).

Charon graduated from George Mason University's New Century College with a BIS degree in Multimedia Storytelling and she is currently the Art Director for Katie Hinde's March Mammal Madness tournament, while also working as a freelance scientific illustrator and visual science communicator. She is building 18Hz Arts Collective, a nonprofit that fosters creative exploration in liminal and legendary spaces.

Charon and I wandered freely, from discussing our religious and spiritual journeys, to the deep well of myth, ritual, and identity that shapes creative work. We also talked about the intersection of science and art, and about how paying attention with all the senses helps us train our intuition, creativity, and work in the world.

I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

Also!! Enjoy a sample of Charon’s artwork, cuz, WOW.

Favorite Quote

A gift will come in the form of beautiful synchronicities. It will come in the form of that chance meeting. It will come in the form of your favorite song hitting on your music rotation when you need that boost. It doesn't have to be huge or spectacular. It just has to be that moment of meaning and connection.

Here's what I love. Would I ever choose to go back to Discovery Place without you? No. Did I love and have a blast going with you? Hell yes. Here's why: because I love seeing people who operate at the intersection of knowledge, passion, and skill. And that's what you bring.

Other Places to Find Charon

• Website: http://charonhenning.com/

• Social Media: http://instagram.com/the_oddangel

Other Places to Find Megan

• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/emjayarre.bsky.social

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Watch on YouTube!

• Links Mentioned

  • 18hz Arts Collective

  • March Mammal Madness

  • Discovery Place

  • La Parrilla Suiza

  • The Bobcat Cafe

  • Gettysburg National Park

  • An Environmental History of the Civil War, by Judkin Browning and Timothy Silver

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Let’s be hopeful, creative, and wise—together.

Shalom,

What else?

• Looking for more resources to help with your personal formation journey? Get your free guide!

• You can learn more about this newsletter and my work on the About page.