Seeing the Unseen: Art, Faith, and Healing
- Aidamaris Román
- Sep 25
- 4 min read
Article by Aidamaris Román
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, a place where vibrant colors, the sea, and ancestral stories shaped my imagination. From an early age, painting became my way of speaking when words could not carry the weight of my emotions. Born and raised in a Christian family, I was given a spiritual foundation that continues to guide me today. That faith, woven with my own experiences as a neurodivergent woman, is at the heart of my art. It gives me the courage to see beauty where others might see brokenness, and to translate hardship into light on canvas.
Over the years, my artistic journey has been shaped by solitude and community. My children and nieces are my greatest muses—they are my life teachers. Talking with them, listening to how they see the world, reminds me of curiosity, innocence, and resilience. Their presence continually inspires me to paint with honesty and vulnerability. My work is deeply connected to them, but it also reflects my own neurodivergent perception of life: how I experience details, silence, textures, and emotions with intensity. Through art, I make sense of those heightened layers of perception and share them with others.
A normal day for me begins in silence, almost like prayer. In my studio, time disappears. Some days I spend hours layering oils, and other days I simply watch how light moves across a face or sketch ideas in my notebook. Beyond painting, I dedicate time to writing about my work, sharing it with collectors, and engaging with fellow artists. But my life is not only about the solitude of creation. I make space for time with my children and nieces, who fill me with joy and remind me of life’s simple truths. They keep me grounded while also pushing me to dream.
The themes of my paintings are centered on the fragility and strength of the human spirit. The figures I paint often seem caught between two worlds—the tangible and the ethereal. They carry resilience, but also vulnerability, embodying the paradox of being human. My art speaks about healing, spirituality, and transformation. It’s a visual language that bridges my faith with my inner life, giving form to emotions and truths that can’t be spoken. For me, painting is prayer, confession, and therapy. It is also healing—my own and, I hope, for those who view my work.
The path has not always been easy. Like many artists, I’ve faced self-doubt, financial instability, and the challenge of balancing art with motherhood. Living as a neurodivergent woman also presents struggles in a world that often expects conformity. There have been painful moments in the art world, times when my work was dismissed or misunderstood, especially in spaces that prioritize trends over authenticity. Yet every rejection became redirection. My faith taught me to see obstacles as opportunities for transformation. Turning back to the canvas in those moments saved me—it became both healer and guide.
But for every difficulty, there have also been moments of deep joy. One of my most treasured experiences was seeing my work exhibited internationally and realizing that something I created in solitude could resonate with a complete stranger across the world. That is the greatest honor of being an artist: creating connection beyond borders and languages. It has also been surreal to see my paintings published in magazines and books in such a short time, and to hear how viewers connect with them on a spiritual level. Those affirmations remind me that my purpose is not only to create, but to serve as a vessel for something greater.
The life of an artist can feel lonely at times, but I see solitude as sacred space. It is in the silence of my studio that I connect with God, with my own spirit, and with the invisible world that inspires my paintings. Loneliness transforms into communion—both with the divine and with others who later see themselves reflected in my work.
At this moment, I am working on a new body of work that continues to explore themes of resilience, vulnerability, and light within darkness. Each painting feels like a chapter in a spiritual journey, a way of transforming what I have lived, what I believe, and how I perceive the world as a neurodivergent woman into something universal. There are also upcoming exhibitions and events where I will share these works, including live painting sessions, where people can witness not just the finished canvas but the unfolding process.
If there is one piece of advice I would give to fellow artists, it is this: stay true to your voice, even when it feels like no one is listening. Trends fade, but authenticity endures. Use your hardships as fuel—turn pain into beauty. And above all, take care of your inner life, whether through prayer, meditation, or reflection. The stronger your inner foundation, the more powerful your art will be.
My journey as an artist is one of faith, healing, and transformation. Through my work, I seek to show that brokenness can become light, solitude can become communion, and art can be a path toward both self-discovery and spiritual connection.
Website : www.bravoromanart.com
Instagram : @bravoromanart
Aidamaris Roman & Gamalier Bravo
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