Being recognized as Becton’s Artist of the Month has been an incredible honor for Johanny Miguel. “When I found out, at first I felt surprised, but when I finally processed the announcement, a wave of happiness and gratitude washed over me. My art has never really won awards before, so knowing that my art is good enough to win an award will always keep me working towards improving,” said Miguel.
Mr. Donovan, Johanny Miguel’s art teacher, shared his perspective on what makes a student eligible for Artist of the Month. “At this part of the year, I look for a student who has spent time in class developing their artistic skills and pushing beyond the bare minimum of an assignment. I start to see which students are really interested in a project or in the class. I look for the students who are spending time outside class doing work for the projects and pushing themselves to make something that requires that extra time,” he explained.
Mr. Donovan has Miguel in Cultural Arts 1, and notes that Miguel’s dedication and thoughtfulness set him apart. “Johanny keeps a sketchbook to track his ideas and often comes to the art room outside of class to work on projects,” he said. “He doesn’t fall behind or need to make up work—he puts in extra time to create something more detailed or ambitious than class time allows. That commitment and effort make his artwork stand out.”
Miguel’s passion for art began at a young age. “I’ve always been passionate about art. Ever since I was little, I doodled on my homework and classwork, desperately trying to improve my drawings so I could feel content with my skills.” Despite his dedication, he admitted, “To be honest, I’ve never really been able to claim that I’m satisfied with my art pieces. I always looked at my art and saw imperfections even if others said differently. Though I still do this, I’ve learned to turn this feeling into motivation to improve my art further and to try my hardest.” Nonetheless, Miguel advises others of the importance of learning from mistakes, “make mistakes, observe them, and improve on them!”
Miguel’s favorite piece of artwork showcases his willingness to experiment with new techniques. Reflecting on a memorable project, he shared, “My favorite piece of artwork I have created was my Cultural Arts project where I made a glass mosaic of goofy looking toads with a tangerine stacked on top of them. I’m really fond of it, because I tried a new form of art and was able to make something I’m proud of, while knowing I tried my hardest to make it perfect.”
Mr. Donovan agrees, “Johanny’s work stands out from other student work because of the complexity of his designs. Specifically, the glass mosaic Johanny made required precise shapes and colors, and he was very successful in the final product, now on display in the showcase outside Room 219.”
Although art is a significant part of Miguel’s life, he views it primarily as a hobby, “Though I’m passionate about art, I view it as more of a hobby than an ultimate goal. I’m a freshman, so I have plenty of time to figure out my future career choice and in the meantime I’ll just have fun with my art!”
Congratulations, Johanny Miguel!
