The story so far

Hi, I’m Valerie Khoo – artist, designer, and architect of opportunities.

I’m based on the northern beaches of Sydney, Australia, where I create art, design beautiful things, and help others reconnect with what truly lights them up.

My journey here has been anything but typical. I started out in accounting (yes, you read that correctly!), became a journalist, and eventually founded and now lead the Australian Writers’ Centre – one of the country’s most respected institutions for writing education. Over the past two decades, I’ve mentored thousands of writers and creatives, built programs that turn ideas into published books, and helped people reshape their lives through the power of storytelling.

Creativity has always been at the heart of everything I do. A few years ago, I picked up a paintbrush – and my world changed. What began as a quiet curiosity turned into a powerful pull. Painting became a daily ritual, a kind of meditation and a way to express beauty that words couldn’t always hold. And before long, my artwork was finding homes around the world. (Hello USA, France, Switzerland, Singapore, Hong Kong, UK and New Zealand! And, of course, Australia.)

I don’t juggle disciplines. I build in layers. For me, painting didn’t replace writing – it became another form of creative expression, another language. Today, I write every day, host the podcast So You Want To Be A Writer, and continue to mentor creatives across the globe (yes, sometimes we Zoom at 2am!). Writing still shapes how I see the world. Painting brings those visions to life.

One of the highlights of my artistic life so far was being commissioned to create a five-metre public sculpture for the City of Sydney, installed beside the Sydney Opera House. I’m not going to lie – it was a surreal, pinch-me moment that reminded me what’s possible when you follow creative intuition.

Today, I create original paintings, fine art prints, and surface pattern designs licensed globally. Through transformational programs like Creative Reboot and The Next Chapter Method, I help people reconnect with their creativity, reclaim clarity, and carve out a life of intention.

My process – whether on the page or the canvas – is very intuitive. Although, it’s true, I like a good dose of structure in there too! I create when I feel aligned, because I want everything I make to connect with or inspire people.

Outside the studio, you’ll find me writing, reading, playing the piano or cello, and staying curious about everything from Bon Jovi to Italian conjugations.

This is your invitation.
Whether through writing, art, or the programs I design, everything I do is grounded in one belief: you don’t have to stay stuck in a story that no longer fits.

I believe in creative freedom. In alignment. And in helping people write – and live – their next chapter with power and intention.

Thanks for being here. I hope you find something that helps you come home to yourself.