Behind the charming facades of Seven Oaks, where neighbors often cross paths unaware of the magic around them, lives Inga Astakhova, a local artist whose vibrant imagination and masterful brush breathe life into medieval tales that quietly transform both canvas and community. 

 

Inga’s journey with art began with a single moment of recognition. As a child in elementary school, her teacher noticed the remarkable precision in her drawing and encouraged her parents to enroll her in a special art school for gifted children. The program was in another town, and young Inga made the daily commute using public transportation. But after just one semester, something unsafe happened on her route, and her parents withdrew her. The opportunity was lost, and so was her connection to art for many years. 

 

From age eight until 2018, Inga did not draw or paint. Life moved on. She became a pediatrician, raised a family, and focused on her responsibilities. But one evening, she attended a wine and paint night just for fun. The instructor immediately noticed her talent and encouraged her to keep painting. That small nudge rekindled something inside her. 

 

During the pandemic, Inga found herself with time to explore painting more seriously. She followed an inspiring artist on Instagram, invested in high-quality supplies, and began using art as therapy. Curious to learn more, she joined a waitlist for an in-person workshop with the artist. At the last minute, she received an invitation and traveled to Florence, Italy, to attend. It was a turning point. 

 

Since then, Inga has continued learning through Zoom lessons and in-person study, including a recent experience with renowned artist Noah Buchanan. Her work now focuses on portraits, still life, and medieval storytelling. Each painting begins with a rich narrative. In one series, a girl working in a castle garden falls for a young metalworker. As the castle’s lord prepares for war, he gives the girl flowers and asks her to wait. When he does not return, she dresses as a warrior and sets out to find him. She discovers him wounded and heals him with herbs and a potion. Meanwhile, the lord’s daughter is also in love with the boy, creating layers of longing and complexity.  

 

Her style continues to evolve, and she occasionally takes on custom work that pushes her creatively. Her recently commissioned abstract oil painting of a beating heart is full of motion and meaning. Dressed in a Zumba outfit, Inga strums the canvas like a guitar, smiling as her medieval portraits seemingly look up in admiration. The image captures the energy, contrast, and duality of her artistic world: part healer, part warrior, and always driven by rhythm. 

 

Inga travels to Europe to photograph castles and cathedrals and incorporates elements of Gothic architecture into the backgrounds of her paintings. She also captures textures like tile, concrete, and stone, blending emotion with precision. Lighting, perspective, and composition are carefully considered so that each element fits together harmoniously. While she dreams about the story and characters before and after painting, the process itself is technical and immersive. Each painting can take about three months to complete as she juggles many passions. 

 

One of her favorite surfaces to paint on is linen-covered aluminum panel, a material that combines the strength of metal with the texture of canvas. It gives her the clean, durable surface she prefers and works beautifully with her high-quality oil paints. Though it is a more expensive approach, the results are worth it to her. Her husband jokes that any commissions she accepts barely cover the cost of supplies. For Inga, art is not about income. It is about passion and healing. 

 

Though she works full time as a pediatrician, Inga does not define herself by her profession. Her true identity lives in painting, storytelling, Zumba, set design, and travel. She dances six days a week and helps create elaborate themed sets for Zumba events, including Parisian nights, Great Gatsby glamour, and medieval designs. Although final performances are usually reserved for instructors, Inga’s energy and commitment earned her a spot on stage. 

 

This fall, Inga will be featured in the Fall 2025 edition of Art2Heal4Hue, a coloring book designed to uplift spirits through art. These books are provided at no cost to hospital patients, seniors, veterans, and others in need. To submit artwork, become a sponsor, or donate, visit art2heal4hue.com. 

 

You can also view Inga’s framed prints at The Art Center Downtown, located at 1607 19th Street, from September through November. 

 

With a little encouragement, perhaps Inga will share the full stories behind her paintings in a coffee table book or a special art show. We have a feeling this is not the last we will see of her. Stay tuned and follow her on Instagram to watch her story blossom @ingrid_999_a