Over this past weekend, due to a number of synchronistic events, I had the pleasure of being introduced to the photography of Virginia Webb. I was able to purchase two of her pieces, both of them simultaneously simple and stunningly beautiful. Even more beautiful, however, is her Artist’s Statement, which speaks of her experience as a photographer, as well as a woman who risks.
I will not post the whole statement here, but you can go to her website, www.virginiawebb.com, and read it there, as well as see some of her glorious work. I will, however, share two parts of her statement that relate to what we’re about here at www.riskaday.com.
“Without exposure, nothing develops.” – Virginia Webb
I don’t know about you, but this sentence blows me away! Obviously, having been said by a photographer, it can be taken more than one way. How do you take it? I believe it says that if we never expose ourselves, we will never develop. It agrees with my theory that Personal Power and Vulnerability are two sides of the same coin, and that we cannot have one without the other. We must be personally powerful to withstand and grow from vulnerability, and we must be vulnerable to grow into our personal power.
I would very much like to hear from you with what you think. Have there been times when in your vulnerability – your exposure – you developed and came into a personal power you would not have otherwise? I look forward to being a witness of your vulnerability and personal power.
And now I shall close with another quote from Virginia Webb’s Artist’s Statement, “I cannot say that I have changed the people, places or things that I have photographed over the years. I can say with certainty that I have been transformed by the stunning revelations that came through risks and exposure in their pursuit.”
Laura Biering has an infectious zeal for coaching people who want to do
enlivening work and live inspired lives. She's fired up about the power of taking risks - great and small - and the rewards that come as a result. She's also passionate about (1) creativity and authenticity and their potential to change the world, (2) frolicking with her adorable four-legged children, and (3) retreating with those she loves at her farm in Southeast Georgia, Brinson's Race. Visit her website at True Voices.
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I love it! The most powerful exposure I can have is what I allow myself to see. I have spent so much of my life afraid that when I get scared I cover my eyes and hope whatever it is will go away; and it doesn’t-so bills go unpaid, life goes unlived,and there I am still huddled in the corner trying to protect myself from what? From my true self? What if the risk I choose today is to take up the mantle of “SuperHeather”. What if I choose today to open my eyes to the possibilities I have before me. If I risk truely seeing, my life changes-AND-I get to take responsibility for saving the world by saving myself. I can’t fix you, and I can’t save you-you have to do that; but if we EACH did that, supporting each other being our own superheroes, humans WILL change, and we will be much happier-we are already.
I went to Virginia Webb’s site and the photographs are beautiful! Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to connect with her work.
Mary Ann
I am happy to report that Virginia Webb and I are now talking about her being one of the interviews in the book I am writing. Keep your fingers crossed, please. I really think her story would be an amazing contribution!