Before Manal al Habsi learned to hold a pencil, she had already learned to see the world through an artist's eyes. As a young child, she would sit and gaze at the sky and clouds, not as a child passing the time, but as an artist searching for her next painting. The moment her gaze ended, she would pick up her pencil and draw what she had seen. Her grandmother was the first to notice, and her family was the first to understand that this child carried an uncommon gift. She saw everything around her, nature, sky and the small details of daily life, as paintings waiting to be made.
The confirmation came from an unexpected place. At kindergarten, her teacher went to her mother with a complaint: why are you doing your daughter's homework and colouring for her? Her mother answered calmly: that is not me, that is her. That moment was more than an amusing story. It was proof of a talent no one expected to find in a child that young. Art, for Manal, had already become a way of expressing her thoughts and feelings before she had words for them.
Her mother was her first and greatest supporter, always placing paper and colours in front of her, as if saying quietly: this is where you belong. Over the years, that support grew into a journey. In primary school she began entering competitions and winning. In middle school, her teacher Wafaa al Shanfari played a significant role in guiding her and entering her in competitions whose results made her realise that art was not a hobby but a true path in life.
Today, Manal is a student at Sultan Qaboos University, studying art education. When she describes her style, she chooses just three words: unique, contemporary, expressive. But behind those words lies a deeper story. Her work does not come from nothing. It comes from a careful study of Omani heritage and its details, from traditional jewellery, old doors, mountains, the sea and ancient villages. She says the Omani environment was always present in her school books from an early age and later found its way into every painting she created. She has found particular inspiration in traditional Omani jewellery, reinterpreting it in a contemporary style that brings together authenticity and modernity.
Among her most notable achievements is her participation in an exhibition at Bait al Zubair, which brought together Omani and Emirati artists. She displayed some of her work there and connected with artists from different backgrounds and experiences. She also took part in art workshops for children through the Omani Society, an experience she describes as deeply rewarding for the connection it offered with young generations full of creative energy. The comment that moved her most came from a visitor who told her that one of her works made him feel a sense of belonging and pride in his Omani identity, because it was inspired by jewellery that carries within it historical stories and cultural memory.
Manal has her own rituals before starting any piece. She prepares her space, puts on quiet music and eats. She says creative blocks come and go, but she only paints when passion is present. The places that move her most are Oman's beaches and heritage sites, details that many people overlook but that she always sees as paintings waiting to be made.
She dreams of leaving her mark in the world of iron sculpture and hopes to be part of raising the profile of Omani art locally and internationally. Her message to every Omani artist is simple: "Believe in your talent, keep learning and experimenting. Art is a message that reflects our identity and culture, and every honest work has the power to leave a beautiful mark on society."
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