David Cleofas Avila
B.A. Psychology;
Sonoma State University (2008)
Resident of Earth since 1975Leading a #stigmafree life, striving to provide hope, through the arts, for individuals and their families, whom are diagnosed with serious and persistent mental illness.
As a multidisciplinary artist living with schizophrenia, David writes and makes art & music in order to square away the sequelae of life.With peace, love, and understanding, there is...
Hope for Tomorrow!
David started his music journey as a teen with chopsticks and a broken guitar. Witnessing the genius of Julian Lage shopping for his first guitar and, a couple years later, a gift of a harmonica on his 20th birthday built up that drive. Playing bongos at a regular drum circle nearly a decade later led to group dynamic confidence. Woodshedding his harmonica turned into writing songs and performing, followed by recording and forming a band."I've made some great musical connections over the years. Mural artist, Travis Parks, was a much needed creative jumpstart. He and I wrote a couple of my early songs. Edward Reifsynder allowed me to conduct him, and with him on guitar, I wrote a couple albums. I still look forward to completing those recordings. And of course there's the mensch, Scott Amendola. His light reminded me it's good to follow your guiding muse."While some of his music is available at most online music outlets, he has made all of it available to listen and download at Bandcamp via the link on this page. The song, Driftwood Sunburn, has been highlighted at the online journal of disability and literature, Wordgathering.Peace!
Visual Arts
David's visual arts focus began later in life. After earning a B.A. in Psychology, he worked as a Peer Support Specialist, but due to job stressors, wound up checking himself in to a mental health facility to get his meds in balance. While inside, he drew with markers and became inspired to paint.Starting with a little financial help from family for some brushes, oils, and canvas, his art (self taught) caught the eye of collector, and curator of the Susan Fleming family collection, L. Marx, who reached out on social media. Needing to set his price, he phoned Ames Gallery, and with the owner on the line and a texted photo of his first painting, Hope For Tomorrow, David Cleofas Avila became established in the Arts.Soon after, David was recognized by National Arts Disability Center UCLA, after applying for, and receiving, a grant to further develop his craft.With the onset of Covid and a wanderlust within him, he donated all his belongings, along with art, and hit the road, masked up, content to write prose and poetry.His paintings and photography have been published in Peatsmoke Journal, Gabby & Min, NUNUM, Harpur Palate, Ink In Thirds, The Word's Faire, and Eleventh Hour Literary: The E-Phēmeros Project.He has a growing collection of art up on Saatchi Art to view and purchase prints of... sorry, originals are not available!Love!
Writing
David began writing poetry as a teen and is published in Oddball Magazine, eMerg-magazine, Flora Fiction, Breath and Shadow, Poetry for Mental Health, and Braver Collective.His prose writing started shortly after his painting. He has completed a Middle Grade Fantasy Adventure book, available though ingramspark after some fits, starts, and rewrites. The book, originally titled, Lightward, evolved into The Defender's Journey, before becoming Lightward Home. Also, David has written a children's board book and picture book as author/illustrator, in addition to his growing collection of poetry, which are in the query process. David also has a memoir and looks forward to traditionally publishing at some point in the future.David has links below to his Medium page where he posts published, along with some unpublished, poems and songs."I attribute my writing ability to my teachers, professors, and my mother, whose reading to me at an early age imbued imagination and love for books."David supports The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) by donating 10% of his writing proceeds to their efforts.Understanding!