Former Featured Artists
Arman Karimi is a dedicated artist, calligrapher, educator and producer whose journey spans more than three decades of creative practice. Born and raised in Afghanistan, Arman’s devotion to fine arts — particularly painting and calligraphy — has been a lifelong passion.
Arman holds a master’s degree in public relations and a Diploma in Fine Arts from Afghanistan Art Gallery. For many years, he taught painting and calligraphy at Kabul University, where he nurtured the next generation of Afghan artists.
When the political situation in Afghanistan changed and the Taliban came to power (a regime known for its opposition to many art forms), Arman was compelled to leave his homeland. Having recently resettled in the United States as a refugee, he has resumed his artistic journey with renewed purpose and energy.
Since arriving in America, Arman has participated in multiple festivals and programs. His works have been exhibited at venues such as Yakima Gallery, where three of his pieces sold, and currently at Onex Gallery in a month‑long exhibition.
Outside of the studio, Arman worked for many years in the U.S. as a senior producer at an American company — developing strong skills in project management, creative production and cross‑cultural communication. He also draws on his experience providing caregiving services to elderly and physically or mentally disabled individuals, finding in that vocation a meaningful extension of his humanistic values.
Glenna Tsang
I am Glenna Tsang and I have always been an artist. Of course I followed the path of practicality and got my education in teaching so I could travel. I taught for five years in a private school in Bellevue and then when my daughter was five I moved with my family to a coastal town in China near Qingdao. I had two more children there and loved being in a place that challenged ideas of what we need as a family. We lived simply, riding bikes instead of driving cars, and shopped in outdoor markets instead of grocery stores. We rode horses through Xingjiang instead of the Grand Canyon. We went to Thailand, Cambodia, and Korea instead of Hawaii. We ate noodles and dumplings instead of bread, until we learned to make our own. We taught locals how to make pizza and drink coffee. We learned to love tea. And just as we are still telling their stories, we hope they are still telling our story.
One of the images I find repeatedly in my sketchbook is the traditional style homes, being overshadowed by skyscrapers. In a newly developing city, it was a common sight. It’s a bittersweet memory now as I turn the pages and wonder how many of the homes I sketched are still standing. Even the old man on the corner playing the er-hu, is he still alive? Does he know his smile is kept in a sketchbook -representing his people a world away?
This is the beauty of keeping a sketchbook whether you are a “trained” artist or a hobby artist. I’m happy to have this little moment to share my talents with you. And I hope they will inspire you to keep the artist in you alive. You can find my nature inspired watercolor greeting cards at Postmark Center for the Arts in Auburn. I have been featured in Hot Press, Northwest Watercolor Society’s Newsletter. I love plein-air painting, sketching with oil pastels, charcoals, inks, and colored pencils. Please join me for one of my classes with Renton Art Oasis.
Maleah Williams
Maleah Williams is a multidisciplinary artist whose work is defined by bold patterns, rich textures, and the harmony she creates from unexpected pairings. Growing up primarily in Washington, with time spent in several other states, she has been creating art in one form or another for as long as she can remember. Her practice spans painting, resin, clay, wire wrapping, and needle felting. She enjoys blending techniques to produce pieces that are layered, tactile, and full of contrast.
Her background in jewelry design, interior design, and digital media often shapes her artistic process, influencing the way she approaches color, form, and composition. Always exploring new materials and methods, Maleah draws inspiration from travel, music, and seeing the world through other artists’ eyes, translating those experiences into her work.
When she isn’t pursuing her latest artistic endeavor, she works as an independent business success consultant and as a freelance web and graphic designer. She also plays multiple instruments, makes music, and teaches. Passionate about sharing knowledge and encouraging fearless experimentation, Maleah believes creativity should be accessible, empowering, and a source of connection.
Susan Payne
Susan Payne grew up in a south Seattle family with a great love of the outdoors (camping, hiking, fishing etc) was drawing and painting from a young age. She majored in Architecture and worked in that career, later cutting back to part time and more painting. As part of architecture school (BA and M.Arch) she learned perspective drawing and design skills, and took night classes in painting, including while she lived in New York City (1983-93). In more recent years she took painting and drawing classes at Gage Academy in Seattle and has been active in "Urban Sketchers" groups as well as Plein Air Washington Artists, with meetups all over the state to paint nature from life. In the past year she has been leading art activities at Care Units through the nonprofit, "Seniors Creating Art", plus occasional pet portrait workshops for "Paws with Cause"
An active horsewoman for years, Susan has painted 'live' at horse shows as well. She has won a few awards for her paintings of horses and for plein air landscapes.
Susan enjoys watercolor in particular for outdoor art because of its lightweight portability and easy cleanup, as well as for the radiant qualities that can be achieved. But she also enjoys working in oils or acrylics and has at times done larger works on canvas. Because she paints often outdoors at horse shows and group meetups, she is used to sharing her art skills and interests with others, young and old. She encourages art as a daily or near-daily practice for its meditative benefits and enjoyment of nature.
Michelle Nagel
Born and raised in Washington, Michelle holds a Master’s in Education and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington. After several years of teaching in public schools, she shifted her focus to arts education and her own creative practice. As a multidisciplinary artist, Michelle draws inspiration from nature, animals, dreams, and the human experience—often blending various media to create works that are playful, thoughtful, and explorative. Her passion for learning, community, and self-expression drives her commitment to the nonprofit’s mission: making the arts more accessible and empowering individuals to explore their creativity and connect more deeply with themselves and the world around them.
