Roen Harden is an artist from Nashville, Tennessee. They specialize in soulful drawings depicting the pain of living in a neurotypical world when you look “normal” but process information at a rate less than 10% of the population. Their abstract art drawings depict anxiety, depression, and the metaphorical expression of these conditions as well as the world from their view as a person on the autism spectrum.

Despite these challenges, Roen was able to achieve an Associates degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Art from Wester Kentucky University (WKU) with the the support of the Kelly Autism Program (KAP). School helped Roen refine their technique but their original visions of surrealist fantasy continued to flow through their hand to the paper. Roen says their marker and acrylic art draw itself “and lips become heart-shaped and landscapes, portraits and fantasy creatures appear on the page”.

Art gives Roen an outlet for self-expression, serves as a release for stress, calms their mind and allows them to “be themselves.” Their free form art is inspired by the magical realism of Mayan culture, from travel in Latin America at an early age, as well as by folk art collected by their family. The images represent the unseen turmoil and anguish of living with disabilities but also serve as a coping mechanism that helped them persevere and exceed all expectations for their path in life.