Camellia by Lisa Byrne 2012.

It is my belief that in this life:

We find our way by finding each other.

The petals & stamen of this flower represent protection, devotion & ever lasting

union between lovers.

Camellia opening by Lisa Byrne, 2012

'Revolve' #86 by Lisa Byrne 2006, Canon Digital SLR

'Repose' #85 by Lisa Byrne 2006 Canon Digital SLR

'Underbelly' #84 by Lisa Byrne 2006 Canon Digital SLR

Revolve: to turn over at length in the mind.

Repose:  Freedom from worry; peace of mind.

Underbelly: An area vulnerable to attack.

These images are from a series of self portraits,  entitled “Force Majeure”  which I shot in my old apartment one half a decade ago. They resurfaced this week. Most older photographic work of mine is not enjoyable to view-and downright painful to show. Here appears to be something softly exquisite, hopefully not just nostalgia. Going to take a closer look  at the entire series. If it holds up, I’m interested in making small, fine art prints.

Pole Dance performance this Thursday, February 23, at the Sky Bar in Medford

Pole Dance performance at the Sky Bar in downtown Medford!

This Thursday February 23, 2012. Doors open at 9:30. Show, I believe, is at 11 PM. There will also be break-dancing sometime before or after.  I am not performing (yet) but the amazing godesses who own (& instruct) at the pole dance fitness studio in Medford will be gracing the chrome!  Imma gonna be there shaking my bootie on the dance floor and then photographing the girls. FYI: its a single performance & will be over quickly…

Event is part of a B-day celebration bash for local photographer!

Hope to see you there!

PS. Dont forget the dress code-its fancier than the rest of Medford! No casual  jeans, tee-s, sweatshirts, hoodies, red/blue colors & your shirts need collars. Ladies pull our your pretty shoes & dresses!

Dahlia Unfolding 2012

Spirit. Breath. Passion. Unfolding

Where in your heart have

You been holding

too tightly

time now

breathe

and let

go…

I had several chances to grab a dance pole this week. A regular class at the pole dance fitness studio in Medford, and a workshop with this amazing lady:

Pantera BlackSmith from Panteraspoleworld.com

Pantera  is down to earth, funny,  strong, upbeat &  inspiring.  It was the fastest hour of my life &  intense in a good way.

My inversion cherry was popped & I went upside down. I’m 25 lbs underweight & had  RF  surgery 4 months ago. It was the last thing I expected-but Pantera was eager to help me hoist my skinny butt up-so my ass went over my head.

She told me to “Relax and get comfortable. ” My neck ached, my shoulder was taped from physical therapy & I tried not to think about how the injury started.

 12 years ago, I was doing a handstand (at a playground, in a ride that stopped unexpectedly) My elbows gave & my shoulders crumpled. My neck wrenched into the collarbone. My torso came down on top. Nothing broke, but the pain was excruciating.

The pain has never gone away. I slide down the pole to the ground. I  attempt to stand gracefully. My heart is pounding. I fear falling again. I want to punch this fear in the balls. With more practice, I will. This workshop was completely above my level of training-before this evening, I’ve only had 3 beginner classes.

Perhaps I’m a novice, but I leave the studio feeling like a champion.

Thank you Tammy & Pantara!!!

<kicks up a stiletto>

Pantara Blacksmith's signed photo hangs on my bedroom wall now!

Contact:

twitter @PanteraB

http://www.panteraspoleworld.com/

twitter @pdfmedford pole fitness studio

http://www.poledancefitnessmedford.com/

After class: Top, Left clockwise: Lisa Byrne, Tammy French, Pantera Blacksmith, Shallan McDonald

Candyland self portrait #113

Because sugar, in large stick form, is sometimes a girl’s best friend…

Flowers 2011

“We are here to awaken from the illusion of our separateness”-Thich Nhat Hanh

I wake this morning- 2 things ringing clear in my head

An unfamiliar word: Zahara

And a complete phrase:  ‘Aiming for the one true light’

Googling the first leads me to this beautiful singer from Africa, and her soothing video,’Loliwe’ on You Tube (which has been on replay since my first cup of coffee)

I look up a translation of the lyrics to find an interview with the artist: “the train is pushing/wipe your tears/no matter who your father is/you are not a mistake”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZekSABKPiY

What a lovely surprise, and appropriate beyond belief.

As for the phrase-I also feel it is a message from my friend Roy, telling me he has made his way to a better place. This would not be the first time we have communicated telepathically. Just would be the first time since one of us has passed. But let’s say I am not surprised.

Roy had a death experience once before. 2 1/2 years ago a seizure dropped him like a stone and left him flat lining in a diner. Weeks later he woke in the hospital, with no memory for a while, except that he had died and returned.

He called me later to describe this experience. It was not the tunnely thing they depict on TV. From what I could gather (and words are inadequate) it was like being in outer space, without having a body, but at the same time being connected to the entire universe, and being bathed in unconditional love. It was, of course, beyond my capacity to understand fully-but I tried.

It transformed him noticeably on many levels-he became instantly sober for 2 years straight. Simple things filled him with joy, but he found it difficult to deal with routine tasks after that. He said what  he experienced was so profound, that everyday reality was hard to comprehend on some levels.

I had forgotten, till just this moment, what a beautiful a sensation he told me it was. And I need to remember, and to take comfort in it. Because  death for me has been the great unknown, the dark scary place from which people never return. And I used to joke with Roy-that he was one of the very few people in the world that actually knew what was waiting for him ‘on the other side’-I mean who is privy to  this shit beforehand???NOBODY DUDE! & what amazing fucking knowledge it was to have.

I guess he is just passing some of it along to me this morning.

Pink Hearts by F. Jan 2012

This gorgeous pink heart painting 

Was created, and then given to me last night by a 6 year old girl-who was unaware my heart was broken- or how much her art, in the moment, is helping to heal it.

<3 

“Mothers Milk”

You spilled me

like a quart of fresh cream

then,  showed me how to

to lap up my own wisdom…

Lisa Byrne January 21, 2012