The tulips are too excitable

The tulips are too excitable. It’s such an evocative line from a poem by Sylvia Plath that it inspired this painting of double petal tulips, which I was inspired to paint after spotting some beautiful tulips which reminded me to this poem.

Painting an artwork is like many creative processes. There is the initial excitable spark of the idea. And then the exhilaration of starting.

And then, when you get into the depths of the creative work - whether that’s in creating art or music or writing - you wonder whether you’re on the right path.

But when you push through and have the motivation to get to the other side, there’s the reward - a different kind of exhilaration; an understanding that you have emerged to where you’re supposed to be.

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Hi, I'm Valerie Khoo, an artist based in the beautiful northern beaches of Sydney, Australia. I love creating vibrant, striking artworks. Flowers are usually my muse – big, bold, and beautiful blooms that capture the essence of joy and positivity. I work predominantly with oil paints; there’s something magical about the way they blend and bring my subjects to life.

My creative process is a bit like falling in love: it starts with a spark, an idea or feeling. From there, I work up a composition, and then pour my heart and energy into every brushstroke. I believe that art reflects the artist's emotions, which is why you'll never catch me painting when I'm down. Positivity, optimism, and joy are always infused of my work.

When I’m not painting, you'll find me indulging in my other passions: writing, literature, music, languages, and theatre. I hope my art does more than just brighten walls. I hope it serves as a daily reminder of life’s beauty and infinite potential, encouraging viewers to chase their dreams and find joy in the little things.