We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jonathan Pedigo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jonathan below.
Hi Jonathan, thanks for joining us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?
My journey as an artist has been shaped by setbacks, rediscovery, and a lot of persistence. As a child, I considered myself an average artist, but I always enjoyed sketching and drawing. I decided to apply to an art magnet middle school, hoping to take my interest further. Unfortunately, I was rejected, not because of my ability, but because of the distance from my home to the school. That moment discouraged me more than I expected, and it slowly pushed me away from art for several years.
Everything changed during my senior year of high school when I met an art teacher who saw something in me that I didn’t fully see in myself. She helped bring back my love for art and, more importantly, my confidence. Through her encouragement, I began to believe that I could actually pursue art in a meaningful way. As a result of her impact, I decided to become an art teacher myself. I wanted to inspire students the same way she inspired me.
I started my career teaching at a K-8 academy, and while I was focused on my students, I also had a strong desire to become a professional visual artist. I worked on my craft independently, teaching myself through practice, experimentation, and real-life experience. Between 2011 and 2013, I created and sold a few pieces, which gave me my first experience as a working artist. However, as my teaching responsibilities grew, it became harder to balance everything. By 2013, I made the decision to pause my journey as a professional artist.
A major turning point came when I relocated to a smaller high school. This change gave me something I hadn’t had in years, time and space. With access to a studio and a more manageable workload, I was finally able to refocus on my own artwork. In 2023, I made the decision to fully restart my professional art career.
Looking back, I appreciate the path I took and my story getting here, but many times I look back and wish I had began my art journey sooner. Developing my training in middle school, earlier in high school and formal training beyond that. I wish I would have jumped in to the professional art world sooner. I think where could I be now if I started sooner.
Jonathan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m a visual artist and high school art teacher based in Miami, and my work is rooted in a vibrant neo-pop style, bold colors, strong line work, and heavy influence from the culture and energy of South Florida. I’ve been teaching art for over 15 years, and while education has always been a major part of my life, I eventually felt the need to fully commit to my own creative voice. What started as a personal passion grew into a professional path where I began consistently creating, sharing, and selling my work, building a strong following, and exhibiting in galleries and curated shows.
My work includes original canvas paintings, murals, custom commissions, and wearable art like hand-painted sneakers and apparel. I’ve partnered with brands such as Local Drip MIA to design apparel, worked with TRAUST Brewing on beer can label designs, collaborated on lifestyle concierge events, and developed my own line of fishing shirts featuring my artwork. I’ve also used my art to give back, raising money through charity organizations and contributing to public murals in local parks. At the core, what I provide goes beyond just a product. I create work that brings energy, personality, and a sense of identity into people’s spaces, helping them connect to something expressive and meaningful.
What sets me apart is not only my dual role as an artist and educator, but also my flexibility, both in my creative process and in how I work with clients. I’m able to adapt my style and approach to fit a wide range of projects, from fine art to commercial collaborations, while still maintaining a strong and recognizable voice. I value relationships, communication, and making sure the client’s vision is realized without losing the integrity of my artwork. Combined with my experience, community involvement, and willingness to collaborate across different spaces, I bring a level of versatility that allows me to move comfortably between the art world and real-world applications of my work.
What I’m most proud of is my family… my wife and my children are the foundation of everything I do and the motivation behind my drive to keep growing. Beyond that, I take a lot of pride in the work I’ve created and in building something authentic over time. Balancing a full teaching career, family life, and a growing art brand hasn’t always been easy, but it’s shaped me into who I am today. I want people to know that my work is real. It comes from experience, consistency, and passion. When someone supports my art, they’re not just buying a piece, they’re becoming part of a journey that I’m fully committed to for the long term.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding part of being an artist, for me, isn’t just the sales, the followers, or the shows; it’s being able to turn what’s in my head and heart into something real that other people can feel. Through my work, I get to express my perspective, my culture, and my experiences in a way that words can’t always capture. When someone connects with a piece I created, it feels like a silent conversation, like something I made truly landed with them.
Over time, the reward has also become owning my voice. I’m not just experimenting anymore. I know what I want to say and how I want to say it. As an artist and a teacher, that means even more to me, because I’m not only creating my own work, I’m also helping shape the next generation of artists. That impact goes beyond the canvas and into the lives of my students, which gives my journey a deeper purpose.
And honestly, making my collectors truly happy with my work, means the world to me. Knowing that something I created lives in someone’s space and brings them joy every day is an incredible feeling. It reminds me why I started and keeps me pushing to grow, create, and leave something meaningful behind.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
I think one thing non-creatives often struggle to understand about my journey is how much of it is internal. From the outside, it might look like I’m just painting, posting, or selling work, but behind every piece is a constant process of thinking, feeling, refining, and sometimes doubting. There’s a mental and emotional investment in every artwork that doesn’t always translate visibly, but it’s very real and very demanding.
Another part that’s hard to explain is the balance between passion and discipline. People assume creativity is just inspiration, but in reality, it’s consistency, structure, and showing up even when I don’t feel inspired. I’ve had to treat my art like both a calling and a profession. Managing my time, building my brand, putting myself out there, and staying committed long before results ever showed up.
Finally, I think non-creatives don’t always realize how personal it is. My work isn’t just a product… it’s a reflection of who I am, my growth, and my perspective. So when people connect with it, it’s incredibly rewarding, but it also means I’m constantly putting a piece of myself out into the world. That vulnerability is part of the journey, and it’s something you really have to live to fully understand.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jonathanpedigoart.com
- Instagram: @jonathan.pedigo.art
