Episode 13: April Parviz

On this episode I welcome my friend and fellow artist April Parviz.  We re-met each other at an outdoor community event in my neighborhood where she was exhibiting her artwork ... I read her bio on her promotional material and decided she'd be a PERFECT guest, and that she was.April opens up about her own struggles with her mental health, particularly revolving around her diagnosis of ADHD, and we discuss a wide range of topics, including parenting during a pandemic, the artistic process, complexity and simplicity, creating art as a way to process darkness, and much more.We dive into a series she started called "Sleepers 'Wake" and she graciously allowed me to use one of the pieces in the series as the episode artwork.  Here's an excerpt from her description of piece number XXXVIII: "Some of the symbols are pretty obvious. For example, in verse one, “King Herod” is sung as I draw a three pronged crown. A minute later, I sing, “seeks not the kingdoms of this earth,” as I trace Herod’s crown a second time.  The letter ‘E’ is written as I sing about “the eastern sages.” Immediately afterwards, I sing about the “guiding star” they follow, as I fill out the star which doubles as a map compass. Then there is the blue watery area, symbolizing “the Jordan’s sacred flood.“ A cross is drawn through the middle, as I sing about “He to whom no sin was known.” More blue is added, but then some red and purple as we hear the words, “water reddened into wine.”Some of the symbolism would be impossible to guess, however, unless you are very deeply familiar with my work."I sincerely hope you enjoy this episode ... it is most likely my most personal, but also the most relaxed and free-flowing since April is so easy to talk to, and we are both quite open about our struggles navigating this thing called Life.