How Art Made Jimmy Reagan ‘Better’
December 8, 2016
It happened so quickly. Jimmy Reagan was playful and happy. Then everything changed. He became sickly, withdrawn, and uncommunicative around his second birthday. One of five children, his challenges became endless and all encompassing for his mother, Peg Schneeman Reagan, and his father, Brian.
Jimmy’s autism diagnosis was shocking. But his health issues were perplexing. Why couldn’t he tolerate so many foods? Why couldn’t he put on weight? What was going on inside his body?
By the time he was a teenager Jimmy’s health problems were so severe his brother Jack worried he was going to die. His parents continued to search for answers and solutions. It took more than 20 years of searching before the answer arrived.
Three years ago a physician at the University of Minnesota diagnosed Jimmy (now 23) with mast cell disease, explaining it had been there for years. An orphan disease, it can only be managed by diet and medications and requires constant surveillance.
The mast cell diagnosis followed an earlier – and amazing – discovery. In 2009 a teacher asked a question that proved life changing for Jimmy and his family. Would he be interested in art? Indeed, he would be.
In the past seven years Jimmy has developed an extensive portfolio of work using various media. Intrigued by Vincent Van Gogh, Jimmy began painting “tick marks” of various colors. After he viewed a Picasso exhibit he shifted from tick marks to brush strokes, using bright colors to paint people, landscapes, and animals. He continues to work with canvas and pastels but also enjoys carving and cutting foam.
Jimmy brings a visual clarity to his work that is absent in other areas of his life, his brother Jack says. Peg concurs. “It’s really astounding. When he works on a painting and puts in a color you know it’s part of his plan.” Moreover, his art offers a glimpse into emotions not easily shared. Peg can always tell when he’s not feeling well because his work changes – or stops.
While she still oversees Jimmy’s health issues, Peg now manages the enterprise they named Through Jimmy’s Eyes. She’s sold some of his original canvases for thousands of dollars. Jimmy’s art adorns walls all over the United States.
Peg has taken it a step further, though. She transforms her son’s images into women’s handbags and scarves, men’s ties and pocket squares, onesies for babies, as well as notecards and coloring pages. Working from their home in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, Peg markets, packages, and sells the goods. One of her sons works on the website. Her other children model the apparel.
The Reagans believe in giving back. “When you’re helping other people sometimes it comes back and helps you,” Peg says. They’ve donated Jimmy’s art to local schools and nonprofits. Most recently, Through Jimmy’s Eyes’ accessories were featured at the University of Minnesota FashionFest. Almost all of the family participated in the annual event that raised more than $300,000 for the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital.
FashionFest guests were fascinated by Jimmy’s work. Ron Johnson, a former Minnesota Gopher and pro football wide receiver, was a FashionFest model. Drawn in by Jimmy’s bow ties, he arranged to wear one in the fashion show. An on air commentator, he plans to wear it during an upcoming Minnesota Vikings football game.
Jimmy is not a social creature so Peg didn’t expect him to linger at FashionFest. But as the evening wore on he remained with his family and buddy Thomas, sporting a new suit, signature bow tie, and a smile. Natalie Bushaw, FashionFest chair, says, “What I love about that family is the level of support for what Jimmy is doing.”
It’s not been easy. Jimmy’s medical and developmental challenges have weighed on the family. “For our kids there’s been a lot of collateral damage,” Peg says. “The art is a joyful part for us. It helps us to remove some of the sadness because of how sick he is.” She is proud of her children for demonstrating how you can help someone who has had a difficult time.
Jimmy will always require 24/7 care to remain healthy, safe, and engaged. In addition to his parents and siblings he has several young men who offer care and companionship.
But his art illustrates he is much more than what he cannot do. “We consider him an artist who lives with complex autism,” Peg says. Many who purchase his art are unaware of his condition. And his autism offers him a unique buffer. He can revel in the accolades – and ignore any negative reactions. It’s a freedom most artists most artists don’t enjoy, Peg says.
The Internet has provided great exposure. Jimmy has a large following of accomplished artists. He’s received exciting invitations. His paintings have been displayed in Germany and Italy and will be showcased in Hong Kong next March.
Jimmy’s art has given Peg something else. “There are so many things about Jim’s health I haven’t been able to control,” she says. “I can’t fix his disease. For me the art feels like something I have control over – especially when his disease flares up. I look at his work and it’s happy. That tells me that despite his struggles he is an innately happy, loving human being. And I take great satisfaction in that.”
Note: Peg will be selling Jimmy’s merchandise at Sunfish Cellars in Lilydale, Minnesota, December 9 from 10 to 7 p.m. and December 10 from 10 to 8 p.m. Sunfish Cellars will host a free wine tasting from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday. I’ll join Peg on Saturday from 1 to 4 to sign copies of my memoir, Bitter or Better, which features a story about Jimmy. To learn more about Jimmy’s work visit throughjimmyseyes.com.
