I’m Virginia, though you may also know me as Ginny.

I grew up in West Virginia’s Greenbrier Valley, with my art supplies never far from reach. I rarely went anywhere without a sketchbook and my bottomless bag of pencils, crayons, and gel pens. At thirteen, I left home to attend Virginia Episcopal, a college preparatory school in Lynchburg, from 1999 to 2003. I went on to the University of Virginia, graduating in 2007 with B.A. degrees in English and Studio Art, with a concentration in Printmaking.

Shortly after graduation, I boarded a one-way flight to New York City, completely unaware that I was embarking on a twelve-year chapter that would shape the course of my career. I first had to find a job, and after a desperate interview process worthy of its own sitcom, I landed a role as a receptionist-turned-executive assistant which allowed me to continue my art education at Parsons School of Design, the School of Visual Arts, and the Center for Book Arts. Determined to fulfill my childhood dream of writing and illustrating a children’s book, I focused the majority of my studies on that pursuit. I sent proposals to countless publishers only to be turned down time and again.

I missed my printmaking days in college and enrolled in a class focused on greeting card design to merge those two interests, but I became sidetracked one day when my classmate demonstrated her pointed-pen calligraphy. Completely mesmerized by her craftsmanship, I knew I had to learn. I had always been fascinated by handwriting in general, often personalizing gifts and cards with fancy lettering. But it didn’t take long for me to realize just how deeply I would treasure calligraphy as an art form and means of expression, particularly in our increasingly type-driven world.

After buying all the wrong supplies and trying to teach myself how to use a nib pen with endless trials and errors — and ink spills! — and later attending formal in-person and online classes, I left my day job at the end of 2014 when I began focusing on creative work full-time from a beloved shoebox apartment.

As I continued to refine my craft, I spent the next few years saying “yes” to every creative opportunity that crossed my path, immersing myself in an eclectic mix of industries, from weddings and fashion to beauty and jewelry to influencer media and marketing. Along the way, I absorbed everything I could, building a foundation in graphic design and stationery design while incorporating hand-drawn calligraphy wherever possible.

I also collaborated with local shops and wonderful hosts throughout Manhattan to teach calligraphy workshops and private lessons for adults and children. It was incredibly rewarding to watch my students discover the calm and meditative nature of calligraphy and embrace their own unique styles. And all of my mistakes I encountered when I attempted to teach myself? …they became invaluable in teaching others.

The stars aligned in 2016 when I tearfully signed a book deal from the floor of that same shoebox apartment. I wrote and illustrated Fun and Friendly Calligraphy for Kids, a 128-page children’s book published by Ulysses Press the following year that sold more than 12,000 copies. That same year I joined a team of contracted calligraphers for Bella Figura, my first stationer affiliation that I still have today.

In 2019, I returned to Charlottesville, Virginia, where I now live with my husband and our two little girls, who are my greatest inspiration and purpose. Motherhood has truly rekindled my imagination and sense of wonder I knew as a child. What a gift! Though I traded the energy of the Big Apple for a smaller-town pace, I’ve embraced a more intentional approach to my work, taking on fewer projects so I can devote more time and care to each one. From my home studio, I now serve discerning clients around the world, offering a range of creative services and products for those seeking designs that span the spectrum from classic and timeless to chic, imaginative, and distinctly unique.

I pour a great deal of heart—or Hart, you might say—into my work, finding a profound sense of fulfillment and peace within the creative process. My hope is that those who commission and invest in my work walk away with something in which to delight and cherish, while also knowing how deeply grateful I am for every project, purchase, and partnership.

As a member of the Society of Scribes of New York City, the Washington D.C. Calligraphers Guild, and the International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting, I remain a lifelong student — with my art supplies never far from reach.