David Cleofas Avila
Leading a #stigmafree life, striving to provide hope, through the arts, for individuals whom are diagnosed with serious and persistent mental illness, and their families.
"I create hopeful, surreal stories for people who’ve lived through darkness."
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B.A. Psychology;
Sonoma State University (2008)
Resident of Earth since 1975
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With peace, love, and understanding, there is...
Hope for Tomorrow!
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Welcome!
© David Cleofas Avila. All rights reserved.
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, provided much needed creative mentorship and I wrote a couple of my early songs. Later, I wrote a couple albums with Edward Reifsnyder. I still look forward to completing those recordings. Of course there's the mensch, Scott Amendola. He reminded me it's good to follow your guiding muse."While some of his music is available at most online music outlets, ASCAP writer/publisher, David Cleofas Avila has made all of it available to listen and download at Bandcamp via the link on this page. Driftwood Sunburn, recorded by Doug Grean, has been highlighted at the online journal of disability and literature, Wordgathering.Peace!
Visual Arts
Recognized by National Arts and Disability Center at UCLA with a grant to develop painting.Work priced by Ames Gallery and included in the Susan Fleming family collection curated by Lee Marx.Art published in Peatsmoke Journal, Gabby & Min (cover), NUNUM, Harpur Palate, and more.Love!
Publications & Credits
Art:
Peatsmoke Journal, Gabby & Min, NUNUM, The Words Faire, È-phemeros Project, Harpur Palate, Eleventh Hour Literary, and Reservoir Road Literary Review.Music:
Wordgathering. Bandcamp. Spotify. Apple Music.Poetry:
Oddball Magazine, eMerge Magazine, The Poetry Cove, Flora Fiction, Breath & Shadow, Poetry for Mental Health, Braver Collective, Assignment Literary Magazine, Art/s & Theology, Dissident Voice.Books:
Lightward Home***Credits:
David’s art has been priced by Ames Gallery, awarded a grant by the National Arts and Disability Center UCLA, and resides in the Susan Fleming family collection, curated by L. Marx,
Writing
David supports The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) by donating 10% of his writing proceeds to their efforts."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."Understanding!