So many people hold themselves back from stepping into a creative and compassionate life, and I want to help reverse that trend. My calling is to step into contemplative creative spaces, let them open into expansive realms of compassion, and to help others do the same. My creative life is central to my purpose. Like many artists, I have dual-occupations, I spend half of my time at the canvas and leading workshops and retreats and the other half immersed in a career in nonprofit work.
Most recently I am working as Interfaith Philadelphia’s Director of Curricular Innovation, supporting offerings that help people build skills to create a more compassionate and understanding world. As a mother, wife, daughter, artist and through my work in the non-profit sector, I find myself living in an increasingly fulfilling, stimulating, heart-expanding and restorative way. I find delight in weaving the fluidity of a creative spiritual life with the concrete tools and resources of my nonprofit work into my workshops and retreats.
My most consistent personal practice is showing up in the studio each day to spend time going inward, being curious, and watching what unfolds. Though I delight in what appears on the canvas, it is what arises in my heart that captivates me and has me returning each day. Giving back is important to me, I pay my creative process forward by supporting three local non-profits that are doing incredible work from a portion of the proceeds of my art sales: Nicole’s Place, Pennypack Nature Preserve, and Interfaith Philadelphia.
I attended a small liberal arts college outside of Philadelphia where I trained in elementary and special education and received a certificate in Social Impact Strategy at UPENN. In 2020, I published my first book, Radioactive Painting, describing my own path of stepping into more creativity and compassion after a cancer diagnosis. I am currently enrolled in the two year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach.
In 2018 I began offering retreats together with Martha Pitcairn of Ignition Academy, including a week-long experience in Italy in 2019. In 2020, I launched an online retreat experience Brave Art, helping people step into creative life. I have also led custom retreats for Abington Art Center, the BTS Center, and Rise Gatherings. I have upcoming offerings planned for local arboretums, libraries, and community centers.
When I am not creating, working, or adulting, you can find me playing with my two kids, exploring nature (biking, kayaking, hiking-yes please!) or reading (preferably in a hammock) with my King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, Yoda nearby in our Montgomery County, PA home. 🌱
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Bronwen Mayer Henry is a self-taught contemporary painter specializing in trees and flowers on large scale canvases with acrylic paints. Her work is filled with movement, light, color, and a sense of freedom.
It was an unexpected path through Thyroid Cancer that led Bronwen to commit time to painting. This beginning continues to be reflected in her large scale work and playful approach to color. Her art is an expression of prayer, meditation, hope and joy. She describes herself as “a person facing her fears with a brush, and choosing joy over perfection.” She leads workshops and retreats helping others to break through creative barriers. She has a new book exploring how this cancer treatment lit up her creative practice, “Radioactive Painting” published by Shanti Arts LLC.
Her work has been on display at Abington Art Center, Pendle Hill Retreat, Local Shops, and private collections in California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont, Washington DC, Washington State, Canada and South Africa.
She lives outside Philadelphia, PA with her husband, two children, and King Charles Cavalier Spaniel.
Read more of Bronwen’s story.
e: bronwen.henry@gmail.com