Michelle Oconis is a self-taught artist with a severe form of Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. She often explores the physical and cognitive ramifications of her disease in her work. As a woman of Native American descent, she tends to reference nature and the spirit world. She works in mixed media with a focus on collage and alcohol ink. As a Baltimore, Maryland native, Michelle is a recipient of The Maryland Arts Council’s 2025 Artist’s Grant. Her work has been featured in multiple publications. Most recently, the international literary arts magazine, ‘Beyond Words’, from Germany. Her pieces have won numerous national awards. Most notably, The Juror’s Choice Award from The Maryland Federation of the Arts (Annapolis, Maryland) and The People’s Choice Award from NOMA Gallery (Ocala, Florida).