About Virginia Christman
I am a loud-laughing photographer and illustrator living and working in Pittsburgh, PA with my partner and two children.
I spent the last 10 years of my working life as a hospital and university Chaplain—witnessing the pain that sickness, loss, and death inevitably bring into our lives. It was difficult work, but it ushered me into a new appreciation of the details of beauty and joy in my day to day. The wonder of watching a hummingbird building, nesting, and hatching a family over several weeks of lunch breaks gave me what I needed to share more hours with the dying. Getting dive-bombed by a mockingbird on the tired afternoon walk to my car woke me up, scared me, and then made me laugh so hard it hurt. A surprise burst of winter cherry blossoms whispered to me, “Life wins” even on a difficult day of goodbyes.
The details of the natural world became sustenance to me in a new way over those years of hospital life. Now as a working artist, I get to connect with all of you who also obsess over the glorious details—the farmers, gardeners, campers, hikers, lovers of place, lovers of endless vistas and endless lines on the undersides of mushrooms.
What botanical details do you want to preserve with a piece of custom-made art? In a brief commission call, we can solidify your ideas for a personalized photograph of a park, a garden, a farm, or a bouquet that holds significant meaning for you or someone you love.