We had the good fortune of connecting with Fiza Pirani and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Fiza, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I used to be a workaholic, something I learned from my parents and something marginalized people—especially my fellow immigrants and people of color—have had to internalize as the norm. I remember always turning down lunch outings with coworkers and producing more than I needed to if I did take lunch. I am proud to say I am nothing like that anymore. I am trying to embrace a life of rest and play without prioritizing work as much—and I’m pushing my parents to find more time for themselves, too. Sure, I have days where I’ll work for 15+ hours, especially when I’m on a reporting deadline or when I have commissioned art I need to mail out, but I have as many days where I work for just a few hours and spend the rest of my time learning, imagining, exploring, reading or writing. What I do during these rest hours often fuels my work, but more than that, the rest fuels me to wake up the next day with invigoration, excited to be alive—and that’s something I’ve been struggling with for years.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Doodles by Fiza wasn’t really thought-out as much as it was spontaneous, to be honest. I started painting from my bed when a spine injury kept me from my professional work in journalism and writing. That was last February, just as the pandemic began taking control in Georgia and in North America. Unable to sit up and write or focus during source interviews, I began doodling with ink to express myself while laying in bed. Later, I found a watercolor palette in my parents’ basement to play around with. As I started healing from my injury and the world around me began closing up, painting really drew me in as a way to explore something new. In part, watercoloring attracted me most because it’s the kind of medium that requires you to relinquish control; it aligned with the loss of control I was feeling in general. I started an Instagram page dedicated to posting my art journey and that quickly led to online sales and commissions. Each sale continues to surprise me.

I’m most proud of the learning I’ve done and how I haven’t tried to fit into a box just yet. I’m still discovering new mediums and figuring out what I enjoy painting. Recently, I completed the Pantone postcard painting challenge, where I painted something new on a different-colored swatch for 100 days and involved my audience in voting for the next day’s color through Instagram polls. I tried my hand at everything from landscapes to seascapes to still-life and impressionism. I hope my personal style will eventually be born from all the experimentation—and I can’t wait to harness it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh, there are so many great spots to eat, drink, visit in Atlanta. I’m a big museum geek and so are most of my friends, so we’re definitely putting Emory’s Carlos Museum, Woodruff Arts/The High Museum and Fernbank on the itinerary. The off-leash dog beach near East Palisades/Whitewater Creek is a go-to on warmer days. If our time aligns with free King of Pops + yoga sessions at Piedmont Park, we’re definitely going. And while we’re there, a stop at Krog Street Market for dinner/dessert (Fred’s Meat and Bread, Recess, Superica and Little Tart are some favorites). A trip to Atlanta has to include a trip to Buford Highway, one of the country’s greatest, most underrated strips for global cuisine. Masterpiece (Sichuan) is hands-down my favorite, followed by LanZhou Ramen. Mamak for Malaysian, Lee’s Bakery for Vietnamese, plus Rincon Latino (pupusas!) Throw in some Staplehouse and El Tesoro to the best eats list. I’d be remiss not to mention some South Asian favorites in the city as an Indian myself; Bismillah Cafe, Zyka, Lazeez Tava Fry are my family’s go-tos. If we’re all willing to wait in line, Slutty Vegan has to be on the itinerary, too. For a night out, we’ll frequent my all-time favorite bar in Atlanta, Brick Store Pub, which is close to my favorite venue, Eddie’s Attic. Both have to be on the list if my friends are in town. I’m also a big fan of Blind Willie’s, Manuel’s Tavern, The Earl and Ray’s on the River for a drink/the vibes.

Other attractions I’d add to the itinerary: The Center for Civil and Human Rights, a show or concert at The Fox/Roxy/Masquerade/Tabernacle. Plus The Carter Center, Atlanta Botanical Gardens, bookstores (For Keeps + Posman to start), an apple orchard, and art walk in Castleberry Hill.

A week’s clearly not enough!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d love to dedicate this Shoutout to my supportive loved ones, my wonderful friends, my writing community here in Atlanta and beyond, those supporting and reading my newsletter, and the artists I’ve connected with over Instagram.

Website: https://www.fizapirani.net

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doodlesbyfiza/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fizapirani

Image Credits
Fiza Pirani/@doodlesbyfiza

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