A native of the Arizona Sonora Desert, Miguel was born and raised in the US/Mexican border town of Nogales.  Since childhood he has helped as a ranch hand throughout the area and has learned to appreciate the beauty of the desert.  As a descendent of the Mayo people he has always felt a close connection to native Americans and their culture.  Miguel uses the natural resources of the desert, like mesquite wood and copper, to create sculptures depicting primarily motifs of the Southwest and of Native Americans.