Nicole Mignault — Aspiring Artist

Welcome to Salem Patch Whiz Kids, a place where we will honor the great work of Salem's youth. This week we're taking notice of an aspiring artist with a photographer's eye for beauty and a unique sense of style.

Whiz Kid: Nicole Mignault

Age: 17

Grade: Senior at 

Salem Patch had an opportunity to interview Mignault about her talents and where she hopes they'll take her when she graduates this June.

Salem Patch: We heard that you're quite an artist. What kind of art do you like?

Nicole Mignault: I enjoy art very much. One of my favorite types of art has been photography for some time. I got my first professional camera a few years back, and have been consumed with interest in the beauty of taking photos ever since.

SP: Who is your favorite photographer?

NM: I love everything about photography, but mostly the endless possibilities of what can be created. My favorite photographer is Mike Rosenthal. He specializes in fashion, architecture, advertisement and celebrity photographs. 

SP: Film, or digital?

NM: I personally think that film always looks more cool for photos, but I am not a pro with film by any means. I think that digital photography is much more efficient in many aspects because of the endless editing possibilities and camera settings that film cameras do not have. 

SP: What are your plans for next year?

NM: I plan on going to college for fashion design. I would love to learn how to create physical pieces of art that people can interact with and use to enhance and highlight the beauty they already have.

I hope that after college I can attend The Makeup Designory in NYC to get my mastery in makeup. As a career, I would love to work with makeup from a fashion standpoint (photoshoots, runway) or become a clothing stylist for photoshoots or even everyday people. 

I've done a lot with makeup and photography, combining interesting aspects of both arts to create some beautiful images. 

SP: What other school subjects interest you?

NM: Another course I enjoy in school is English. I'm in AP literature this year and am enjoying it very much. Writing's always been a natural strength of mine and also reading is very intriguing to me. I love the work we do in AP Lit analyzing novels, poems and learning how to articulate and prove our ideas.

SP: If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would you go?

NM: I would love to spend a week in New York City during New York Fashion Week. That's definitely a dream of mine. I've always wanted to experience the hectic nature of the backstage area and the calm beauty of the runway itself.

I also love how all my favorite arts are combined in one place. Clothing, makeup and photography all taking place at the same time. I hope that one day I am at least able to attend a show during fashion week. 

SP: Who inspires you?

NM: I am inspired by so many people! One of course being my mother. She has so much faith in me and my ability to do great things in life. Without her I don't think I would ever have the strength to work with such bold and demanding arts. She really has taught me that anything is possible.

I am also very inspired by a woman named Kandee Johnson. She's a makeup artist, a mother of four and a free spirit. Her happiness and love for everything in life gives her the attitude necessary for being successful in life. She's worked with celebrities all over the country doing makeup because it's what she loves and is passionate about, but also to support her family. I hope that one day I can inspire people like she has inspired me.