Disabled Digital Artist

My name is Michaela and I am a 35 year old queer disabled digital artist from the United States.

I am completely self taught and have been drawing from bed since I was 17 years old when I decided that drawing was something I really wanted to do. I was very limited due to my severe chronic illnesses and injuries so I needed to adapt and learn to draw in a way that worked for me. The solution came in digital drawing on a tablet connected to my laptop from bed. Now I am still always learning new ways to improve and make drawing easier for myself.

My main series are the Disabled Beauty Series which showcases Disabled People for Disabled People and the Portraits for Disabled Kids which is all about giving representation to kids who rarely get to see themselves in media.

Please feel free to reach out to me via email for questions about using my work at ogrefairy@gmail.com

Where does the name “Ogrefairy” come from?

When I was a teenager I felt very insecure about being overweight, disabled, and deep in the closet. I wished to be pretty like a fairy but found myself relating more to an ogre.
I decided to take that and make it mine. I am the ogrefairy.

[ID: a photo of Michaela sitting in their wheelchair outside on a small path in front of a chain link fence and then a sidewalk and street behind them. They are wearing the jacket they customized themself covered in patches and paint, their shirt which says “No More Spoons, Only Knives Left" with knives on it, and a skirt made of up odd pieces of plaid fabric sewn together haphazardly in a layered way, ended with knit socks and combat boots. They are looking down with a smile and have their hands partially out to the sides.]

Why Do I write IDs (Image Descriptions)?

Not everyone who is Blind, Low Vision, or are otherwise Visually Impaired have access to screen readers. Everyone should get to have access and ability to enjoy art.

[ID: a digital drawing that is kind of sketchy featuring a crowd of disabled individuals some representing those we have lost. In front are three people. One has a prosthetic leg, one is using crutches, and one is in a wheelchair. Everyone has their right fists raised. Above them it reads the hashtag NoBody Is Disposable]

NoBodyIsDisposable.org