THE ARTIST'S JOURNEY

A mural painter, visual artist, and interior stylist, The Ochre Home's Geraldine Toh takes us on a journey through her creative and vibrant career, finding freedom in her deep-rooted passion for art, colour, and texture.

- Yaiza Canopoli

When Geraldine Toh painted her first mural in her childhood bedroom, she didn't know she would one day be renowned for her unique botanical creations gracing Singapore's walls. Trained as a visual artist, she kickstarted her professional journey back in 2019, when she began sharing glimpses of a mural on Instagram, which she was painting as part of her home renovation. Other homeowners started following her journey and requesting murals for their own abodes, placing her in a niche she never expected: residential and commercial murals characterised by her signature botanicals.

Toh draws inspiration from nature and enchanting landscapes, incorporating earthy hues and soothing textures. Beyond her statement murals, she's also worked on multiple commissioned paintings and other artistic projects to date, always retaining her characteristic organic colour palette and style.

TRUE COLOURS

Being known for a particular style and subject matter can be a double-edged sword for an artist. As Toh has experienced firsthand, people question her ability to paint beyond her preferences at times. "Of course I can paint something else; as long as you have the right technique and skills, you can essentially create anything," she says. In her eyes, however, this doesn't necessarily mean you should. "I prefer being known for a stronger creative identity or a certain aesthetic rather than being a jack of all trades, master of none."

By refining her artistic identity, she has gained clarity on what truly draws people to her work. Where many budding artists struggle to define who they are, Toh appears self-assured and deeply in tune with every stroke and colour choice.