We recently had the chance to connect with Inga Strauss Godejord and have shared our conversation below.
Inga, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
My first 90 minutes each morning tend to follow the same comforting rhythm. I begin with a glass of water infused with lemon—simple, refreshing, grounding. Next comes a large cup of coffee: strong, blended with frothed milk and a touch of brown sugar. That fuels me. Then I step into my studio, ready to plan, sketch, and explore something new.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a professional silk painter and the proud owner of INGASILKS. Every piece is hand-painted by me, with no shortcuts and no replicas—each one begins as pure white silk, stretched carefully over a frame. I draw the design freehand, allowing creativity to flow without constraints. Once the sketch is complete, it needs time to dry, resting for several hours before I begin painting.
Using special silk dyes, I bring the design to life—it’s a joy to watch the brushes dance across the fabric and the colors blend seamlessly. Painting a medium-sized scarf typically takes a full day, after which the silk must remain on the frame for 24 hours.
Then comes the final ritual: each piece is steamed for three hours to set the dyes, followed by ironing, washing, and ironing once more. Only after this process is complete is the artwork ready to be revealed.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
The world didn’t need to tell me who I should be—I’ve always known. From the beginning, there was no doubt. Art has been my path, my language, and my home. It wasn’t something I discovered—it was something I lived. Being an artist isn’t just what I do. It’s who I’ve always been, instinctively and unapologetically. No one had to guide me there—I was already walking that road.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There were moments when doubt crept in—when the road felt long, and the outcomes uncertain. But I never truly reached the edge of giving up. Creating has always been a part of me, and even in the hardest times, I held on to that connection. I might have paused, questioned, or slowed down, but I never walked away. The act of painting, of bringing something into the world that didn’t exist before, always pulled me back. That’s how I knew this wasn’t just work—it was something deeper. Something I was meant to do.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Not entirely. Like most people, I show only certain parts of myself depending on the moment, the context, or the space I’m in. We all adjust—sometimes consciously, sometimes without even noticing. The core is always there, but life asks us to wear different layers. The public version is real, but it’s just one side of a fuller story.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m in my studio, immersed in the flow of painting and surrounded by music. That quiet rhythm, that sense of creative freedom—it calms me. And knowing my loved ones are safe, content, and happy adds a deeper layer of calm. It’s not just silence or solitude—it’s connection, both to what I’m creating and to the people I care about.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ingasilks.com
- Instagram: @ingasilks
Image Credits
Photograph Arta Burgmane
MUA Eliza Packajeva
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