A Baltimore artist has been commissioned by the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery to paint the official portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama.

Amy Sherald was selected by Obama herself.

The news releases from the Smithsonian said: Sherald challenges stereotypes and probes notions of identity through her life-size painting of African-Americans."

Sherald graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2004 and just joined the faculty there.

Former President Barack Obama chose a New York based artist for his portrait.

The paintings are scheduled to be unveiled in 2018.

According to the Smithsonian there are two sets of portraits made after each presidency, one for the White House and one for the National Portrait Gallery.