The RED Collection
When Story Became Paint
The RED Collection began with a conversation between a novelist and a painter. Inspired by The Red Silk Dress, Ingela Johansson created a series of paintings that transformed the novel's emotional landscape into colour, light and movement.
"The novel speaks through story. The paintings speak through feeling. And somewhere in between, in the space between the written word and the painted surface, we meet."
Ingela Johansson
From Singapore to Lisbon
Some collaborations begin with an idea.
Ours began with a painting.
A Shared Journey
Long before the RED Collection existed, Ingela's paintings had already become part of my life.
2016 - The first painting
A woman in red, looking out across the Singapore skyline.
2025 - The novel
Years later, a draft of The Red Silk Dress gave language to the same emotional territory.
2026 - The collaboration
Ingela responded to seven emotional thresholds in the novel, not as illustrations, but as paintings in conversation with the story.
2026 - The launch
The RED Collection was first shown alongside the novel in Lisbon.
The story continues
Through salons, articles, prints and future gatherings, the collaboration continues to grow.
Bride at the Financial District, 2016 by Ingela Johansson
The Living Current:
The Painting That Moved Me
In this five-minute conversation, I sit with Ingela beside The Living Current, one of the paintings in the RED Collection and the one I chose to keep for myself. I had been drawn to another painting too, but this one touched something deeper in me: something instinctive, sensual and alive. As we talk, we explore why it moved me so profoundly, and how an artist can sometimes reveal something the writer has not yet fully recognised in herself.
Explore the RED Collection
The Collaboration
Come behind the scenes and explore this beautifully designed catalogue that documents our collaboration from manuscript to painting, including reflections, the artistic process, and the story behind each work.
The Artist
Step inside Ingela Johansson's studio and explore the inspiration, symbolism and creative journey behind the RED Collection.
The RED Collection
Discover the seven paintings inspired by seven emotional thresholds in The Red Silk Dress, together with original works and fine art prints.
Press & Reflections
In my July 2026 column for The Portugal News, I reflected on the story of our collaboration, exploring rivers, transformation and the paintings that emerged from The Red Silk Dress.
The Portugal News
The Woman Who Stands
and the Woman Who Flows
Host a Red Silk Salon
Red Silk Salons are created in collaboration with venues that value culture, conversation and beautifully curated experiences.
If you represent a hotel, gallery, cultural institution, private members' club, literary festival or destination partner, I would be delighted to explore what we might create together.