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Carving her own path

In a world where career paths are often neatly defined, Fai Al-Omran has carved her own — quite literally. A woodworker, artist, producer and content creator based in Kuwait, Al-Omran blends creative vision with craftsmanship, transforming raw natural wood into functional works of art. After earning a degree in Media Arts from Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Vancouver, with a focus on stop-motion animation, she ventured into creative production and marketing. But the call of handcrafting never left her.

Today, through her studio Knots + Grains, Al-Omran is redefining what it means to be a creator in a male-dominated field, combining artistic expression with entrepreneurial spirit. Her journey — from animation sets to woodworking studios, and from a corporate desk to a 5,000-kilometer trek that marked her as a record-setting Kuwaiti woman — tells a story of endurance, reinvention and fearless pursuit of passion.

Kuwait Times: You studied animation in Canada, which is a fascinating and competitive field. What initially drew you to animation and creative production?

Fai Al-Omran: When I was young, I watched Chicken Run, and its unique style and characters sparked my interest in stop-motion and animation. I loved the idea of creating worlds and bringing characters to life. Later, at university, I realized I enjoyed the production and organizational side of filmmaking even more.

KT: How did the idea of starting a carpentry- and woodworking-focused business come about?

Al-Omran: My partner and I had always bonded over our love for woodworking and building things. Once we started making pieces for fun, we realized this could potentially become our livelihood. So we took a leap of faith and founded Knots + Grains Studio.

KT: Leaving a stable job to start a new business takes a lot of courage. What was the turning point that made you take that leap of faith?

Al-Omran: Since childhood, I was always drawn to creativity and handcrafts, which led me to study stop-motion animation in college because of its physical nature. After a few years working in production and marketing, I realized my passion was still alive — and that’s when I made the leap into woodworking and furniture design.

KT: Many would see you not just as a woodworker, but also as an artist and a creative producer. How do you personally define your identity across these fields?

Al-Omran: I strongly believe in the saying: “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” This mindset allows me to always welcome new opportunities with open arms.

KT: What makes your handmade pieces unique in the local market? Is there a particular philosophy or artistic vision behind your work?

Al-Omran: At Knots + Grains Studio, our ethos is “art in every grain, function in every form”. We create functional art, not just furniture, using only solid natural woods and oils, and crafting every piece by hand. Each item is unique because of the natural grains and colors of the wood, and we keep our designs limited to maintain that sense of uniqueness for every customer.

KT: You also achieved a major milestone by hiking 5,000 kilometers — the first Kuwaiti woman to do so. How did that experience change your perspective on challenges and endurance?

Al-Omran: One of the biggest lessons I learned from that experience is that everything is temporary. Whether good or bad, things will pass. It made me more determined not to take the people in my life for granted and to be grateful for everything I have. It also showed me that life is meant to be lived fully and genuinely.

KT: In what ways did your hiking journey and your entrepreneurial journey intersect in terms of mindset, discipline, or risk-taking?

Al-Omran: Both journeys require a great deal of patience, quick problem-solving skills and a lot of willpower. The more I go on adventures and spend time outdoors, the more I appreciate the beauty of the natural world around us.

KT: What advice would you give young Kuwaiti women who want to break traditional career norms and enter male-dominated fields like woodworking?

Al-Omran: My advice to women is: if what you’re passionate about happens to be a male-dominated or unconventional field, don’t let that stand in your way. Create your own opportunities and carve out your own space.

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