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Papa Bear

@musclefriendly

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Gay. Polyamorous. Kinky. Digital artist. Widower. Grieving father. PTSD survivor. I help others through sorrow and joy as “The After Life Coach”.

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“I didn’t know what to do. That was when my posing coach took a moment to stand beside me. With a lot of reflection, and his support, I walked away with greater understanding.

That’s how it will be for you, with me as your After Life Coach. I will accompany you in joy and sorrow, so that you too find your way to a better, stronger you.”

— Papa Bear
Heroes: @nivenb and yours truly
Singlets: @skinfit.wear by @musclefriendly

“What do I see in this photo?

I see
- a life-long learner who has stumbled and fallen
- A life lived on three continents and in five languages
- A teacher who helps people stand up with dignity after defeat.

I see
- a heart shattered twice by grief
- Enough trauma to take down a bull elephant
- A Papa Bear more resolute than ever to share kindness and love.

I see
- physical, sexual and emotional power just starting to manifest at 50+
- Pain and vulnerability becoming the pathway to strength
- A healer who is learning to turn his sorrow into joy, and who wants to help others do the same

What do you see?”

— Papa Bear
Photo by my friend and mentor @emittmore by @musclefriendly

“Nataraja — Ananda Tandava

This piece features implied nudes. Yet the intent is not sexual. I wanted to work with the notion that the human body is made in the image of the divine.

I’ve been watching the work of Indian choreographer Tejas Dhoke. Especially when he does sacred choreography, I find him so graceful and masculine. He has a piece dedicated to Lord Shiva where he holds the Nataraja pose for not even a second. But I became obsessed with the pose as an ideal of masculine grace.

Lord Shiva dances on Apasmara, who represents ignorance. I chose to make him European-looking as a way of inverting colonization. The background is made of lotus mandalas against a cosmological scene to show all of creation reflected in our everyday world. It’s also intended to signal the joy of the dance.“

— Papa Bear
Heroes: Balraj as Lord Shiva, Thunder Pelt as Apasmara by @musclefriendly

The Mer-Arab is flat on the mat, panting for breath. Is he a fish out of water, soon to be put on ice? Or will he find a way to balance the scales? by @musclefriendly

Next up, on the World Merman Wrestling Federation. A Legs-vs.-Fins match has fan-favourite the Star-Spangled Feller square off against the dark horse of the depths, the Mer-Arab. by @musclefriendly

Most of us just celebrated Samhain. But astronomically, it’s intended to be a cross-quarter day — midway between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice. That date is closer to November 7.

The cross-quarter day in many climates marks the last harvest of the year. It also takes us close to St. Martin’s Day on November 11, with its parade of lanterns to acknowledge the fading daylight.”

— Papa Bear
Hero: The Iron Oak as the Holly King by @musclefriendly

“The hustle and bustle of spoopy seizin’ is now behind. It’s a good time to curl up with your favourite furry beasts and recharge your batteries.”

— Papa Bear
Hero: @scruffy_lobo by @musclefriendly

“Ayer fue tu cumpleaños, Cachorrito. Pude sentir tu presencia: tu mano en la mía, tu brazo rodeando mis hombros.

Desde que te fuiste, he aprendido dos cosas sobre el duelo: primero, que mi relación contigo seguiría creciendo; y segundo, que nunca perdería el amor que compartimos.

Tu Papá Oso te quiere. Siempre te he querido. Siempre te querré.”

— Papá Oso
Héroe: Puppy Pouncer by @musclefriendly

“A holiday message from Big Daddy Baphy.”

— Papa Bear
Hero: @scruffy_lobo by @musclefriendly

“The best part of the holiday season for me was always heading to the local shopping mall to sit on Daddy Baphy’s knee. He would listen carefully when I told him what was on my mind, and I loved how he smelled — like a divine mix of fresh man sweat, a horse stable, and burned oak barrels. His furry cuddles felt like home.”

— Papa Bear
Heroes: Atlas Iron Beard, Atlas Wildmane, the Iron Oak, and @scruffy_lobo by @musclefriendly

“Four solemn Sileni pull the black coach slowly forward, dirge like. The Cóiste Bodhar comes to a halt in front of the home of an ailing man. It is time.”

— Papa Bear
Heroes: Julian, Mike, Neil, and Robby. by @musclefriendly

“He made the pact with the forces of darkness. He anointed his body with oil. He donned the accursed furs.

Now his body is reshaped by a metamorphosis that is both painful and arousing. He embraces life as it begins anew…”

— Papa Bear
Hero: @scruffy_lobo by @musclefriendly