At 23, young Omani artist Shahd al Hussaini is not particularly interested in defining herself by one medium, subject or even one creative pursuit.
Instead, she allows herself to experiment.
“If I were to describe myself, I just love experimenting with everything,” she says. “Even with sports and nature, I’ve tried almost everything here.”
From climbing and wake surfing to boxing, martial arts and weightlifting, Shahd’s interests regularly take her in different directions. The same is true creatively, where she has experimented with sewing, music and different forms of art.
“I just jump from thing to thing,” she says. “But painting is what stuck with me.”
Perhaps part of the reason is that painting gives Shahd a way to express what she does not always put into words.
“I’m not much of a talkative person, so it’s like an alternative to talking,” she says. “I feel like I don’t have a lot to say, so I move to painting.”
A recent graphic design graduate, Shahd says she has always had an affinity for creating. One of her earliest memories is collecting leaves, rocks and soil at around 12 or 13 and arranging them into artworks.
“I feel like my love for nature and art started in those days and has stayed with me until now,” she says.
During the pandemic, at around 16 or 17, Shahd began focusing more seriously on painting, working primarily with acrylics and painting almost every day.
“I think that’s when I really started developing,” she says.
Around the same period, she created an Instagram account to share her work and keep a record of her progress. The account has since grown to more than 3,000 followers.
In 2024, she participated in her first exhibition at Muscat Art, where encountering artists from different parts of the world encouraged her to explore further.
“It wasn’t only about people getting to know my art; I was also getting to know other people’s art,” she says. “I thought, ‘Okay, I want to learn more about art. I want to do more.’”
Her earlier work leaned towards surrealism, bringing realistic and imaginary elements together. By the time she exhibited at Makan Studios, however, Shahd was spending more time outdoors, particularly hiking and climbing. “I started exploring nature more. I was going out into nature a lot, going to the mountains, climbing and hiking, and you could see that starting to enter my artwork,” she says.
This eventually led to Oman Through My Eyes, a sketchbook project documenting more than 20 locations across Oman through ink and watercolour.
“Throughout that year, everywhere I went, I would sketch what I saw,” she says.
The project later continued into her work for Muscat Art in 2025, drawing on her appreciation for Oman’s natural landscapes.
“I love the mountains and the coastlines in Oman,” she says. “You feel like you’ve entered another world. You feel free.”
Among the artists who influence her is Claude Monet, whose Impressionist brushwork she admires. She also points to Salim al salami, particularly his use of colour, whose work she returns to for inspiration.
Behind her willingness to explore has also been the support of her family.
“My parents are really supportive with everything,” she says. “Every new idea I get, every new experience I want to experience, they’re always there.”
Now working full-time in marketing and graphic design, Shahd admits balancing a creative career with her personal work is not always easy.
“When you finish a creative job, it’s hard to go back home and still have the motivation to create,” she says.
Instead of heading straight home, she often walks or runs to reset. Visiting exhibitions and looking at other artists’ work also help keep her inspired.
Her advice to creatives in a similar position is to make room for interests outside their work.
“Find something to add to your routine that isn’t in the creative field,” she says.
For Shahd, that could mean climbing a mountain, going for a run or picking up another new interest.
And for new artists hesitant to share their work, Shahd draws from her own experience.
“What made me more excited to continue was when I started posting my art,” she says. “When you get good feedback from people, it really encourages you to develop and continue.”
Her advice?
“Just go for it. Show yourself.”
You can follow her work on Instagram at @shahds.art.
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