Lifestyle

Sink or Swim; Renowned Artist Fatma Al Shebani’s Early Work in Painting

Published

2 years ago

June 29, 2022

In life, one truly has just two options. Sink or swim. Most would like to think they would swim and yet most end up sinking, stuck in a place they never really intended to be. After being trapped by societal standards and traditions, contemporary artist Fatma Al Shebani chose to swim. With that choice, she placed herself in society’s line of fire and opened herself up to the art world’s criticism. She rebelled, broke barriers, and made a name for herself.

For over 15 years she has reached people across the world with her art. From Qatar to the Western world and to Palestine, there remains little doubt that she has left a significant impact and solidified her place in the art world. The unique style and voice behind her paintings and sculptures have allowed her to stand out. Every piece she creates retains a piece of herself through the story she aims to construct. Still, much like anything worthwhile, she traveled a long and winding road to accomplish all that she has.

Art always constituted a major part of Shebani’s life. From a young age, she painted and wrote poetry. Her pursuit of higher education at Qatar University also centered around art. Shebani claims that her studying art at university was a pure coincidence, but it nevertheless demonstrates her deep connection with the craft. Art was, perhaps, ingrained in her. The need to create has seemingly always flowed through her veins and intertwined with her soul. Even without consciously deciding to pursue a career as a professional artist, Shebani found herself drawn to the creation of art.

As time went on, Shebani’s life took slight detours. She married and started a family. Shebani had no intention of becoming an artist, but she still created and joined group exhibitions. Her separation from her husband in 2003 pushed her to rediscover herself and recalibrate her professional goals. After attaining freedom and deciding to pursue this creative passion, in spite of the views of those around her, she began to truly shine and find her voice. She separated herself from the crowd and carved out a space in which she now expresses herself, however she pleases.

Every artist has a start, Fatma Al Shebani’s journey – like many– began with painting. Now, she is well known for her metal work and sculptures, pieces that bridge traditional and modern Qatari culture. Her paintings, however, from her own perspective hold equal weight in her portfolio. Shebani’s paintings are often seen as unconventional. She broke the rules of art much like she broke the many conventions placed on her by society. Through painting, she explores the abstract, while also experimenting with color and texture. She allows her free spirit and curiosity to guide her in creating, which results in dynamic pieces that captivate audiences as they carefully explore every inch of the canvas. Her sculptures tell a story, but her paintings reveal layers of her ‘true self’.

In every one of Shebani’s paintings, it is difficult to know exactly where to look first. The paint itself acts to guide the viewer, drawing their eyes to certain parts as though they move through a world of Shebani’s creation. The broad range of colors used in each piece only adds to the creation. Often, the color schemes she employs consist of gentle hues, both warm and cool, but, on occasion, her work makes use of bright, eye-catching, contrasted colors. Shebani demonstrates breadth solely through the many different color combinations she utilizes. Her experimentation with color reflects her own constant personal evolution and willingness to embrace change. Every piece is different and reflects a different aspect of her identity.

Like color, texture and dimension play a major role in her painting process. When one thinks of paintings on canvas it can be difficult to imagine anything other than a 2D piece of art. Shebani breaks that boundary through exaggerated texture. There is a certain depth and physicality to the art she creates. Once again, she shifts from typical conventions in order to bring something new to her audience. She does not shy away from being different and creating something ‘unusual’. Instead, she embraces her defiant nature, going against the grain and doing so masterfully

Shebani once floated idly, slowly sinking into a life that never suited her. Eventually, she dived deep into the oceans of the art world and took control of her narrative. Her start was slow, but once she recognized her true calling, her art began to shine in new and exciting ways. At first glance, her abstract art may seem purely aesthetic in value, however, when one takes into consideration the personality behind the work, the disparate dimensions of the artist become apparent.

Lifestyle

Helping Women Over 40: Jeanette Fritsch’s Transformational Program

Published

2 days ago

December 5, 2024

Michelle Langton

Photo credit: Jeanette Fritsch

By: Andi Stark

For many women, the onset of their 40s marks the beginning of a range of physiological changes. Symptoms like insomnia, memory issues, mood swings, and joint pain often arrive years before the commonly recognized signs of menopause.

Jeanette Fritsch, a well-aging expert, believes these issues stem from complex hormonal shifts and lifestyle factors rather than simply aging. Her SRB&B® (Stop, Reset, Build & Balance) method aims to provide solutions by addressing these hormonal interactions holistically. Through years of research, Fritsch has identified a pattern that reshapes common perceptions about midlife health. “The hormonal journey for women is not a disease or a phase to endure; it’s a complex biological transition that requires education and support,” she explains.

Her SRB&B® method is designed to help women understand and manage this transition by balancing hormones naturally rather than solely relying on medication or conventional therapies.

Expanding Competence in Midlife Health

Despite the growth of the wellness industry, many health professionals report feeling unprepared to support clients over 40, especially when it comes to hormonal health. The Global Wellness Institute reports that wellness coaching is expanding by 7.7% annually, but fewer than 10% of coaches feel they have adequate training in hormone-related health. This gap leaves many individuals underserved and often forces them to rely on general advice that may not fully address their needs.

Fritsch’s program fills this void by providing a structured, science-backed curriculum for health professionals, from coaches to medical practitioners. Her certification program equips professionals to understand and work with the hormonal dynamics that influence stress, metabolism, and emotional well-being. It challenges the traditional wellness model, which often assumes all clients can follow the same fitness and nutrition advice regardless of age and hormonal state.

“Many fitness and wellness programs simply don’t consider that women over 40 have different needs,” Fritsch notes. “Ignoring these differences can lead to programs that do more harm than good.”

The Science Behind SRB&B®: How Hormones Influence Health

The SRB&B® method is not a conventional wellness program but a targeted approach Fritsch developed after years of research and personal experience. Her four-step model—Stop, Reset, Build, and Balance—focuses on the HPAT hormonal axis, a network of glands that includes the hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenals, and thyroid. This system is important in maintaining hormonal balance, impacting everything from metabolism and sleep to mood and cognition.

The SRB&B® method aims to “repair” and restore the body’s natural balance by targeting this axis. The process goes beyond addressing individual symptoms; it seeks to improve the hormonal interactions contributing to midlife health challenges. According to journal studies like The Lancet, integrating lifestyle adjustments with hormonal health knowledge can reduce the severity of age-related symptoms. Fritsch’s clients, for instance, report improvements ranging from weight loss and clearer mental function to better sleep.

Fritsch’s certification program for coaches and practitioners provides in-depth education on these biochemical processes, with the goal of creating a network of certified SRB&B® practitioners. “There’s so much to understand about how hormones affect the body,” says Fritsch. “We can’t treat them in isolation without looking at how everything interacts.”

A New Model for Corporate Wellness

Fritsch has also adapted her program for corporate wellness, focusing on the aging workforce and the challenges associated with midlife health issues in high-stress environments. Research from the Harvard Business Review reveals that companies investing in wellness programs see improvements in productivity and employee retention. However, most wellness programs focus on mental resilience, neglecting the physical and hormonal aspects that can impact performance.

Fritsch created a corporate offering that provides companies with resources to support their employees as they navigate these changes. Her program includes targeted support for senior staff, who often experience stress and burnout related to hormonal changes that could be managed with the right knowledge and tools.

“Many executives are under the impression that exhaustion and burnout are just a part of getting older,” Fritsch says. “The truth is, there are underlying hormonal factors that, if addressed, can improve not just quality of life but also work performance.”

Expanding Access to Midlife Wellness

One of Fritsch’s long-term goals is to establish a global network of SRB&B® certified practitioners to provide more accessible, specialized support. Her program is open to many professionals, including fitness trainers, nutritionists, therapists, and even medical doctors. Practitioners who complete the certification gain an understanding of midlife health challenges that they can integrate into their practice.

This approach has already gained traction in Europe, where Fritsch’s certification program has begun to address the rising demand for midlife wellness support. Her next step is to expand to the U.S. and U.K., two markets with increasing awareness of midlife health issues but limited specialized services. A 2023 study indicated a shortage of nearly 170,000 certified health coaches in the U.S., with demand growing as more individuals seek support for age-related health concerns.

“There’s incredible untapped potential here,” Fritsch says. “When women—and men—learn how to work with their bodies instead of against them, the results are transformative.”