Capturing his icons: Jim Egan perseveres to paint portraits of his heroes

Julie Makinen, Palm Springs Desert Sun
·2 min read

"Make a mark every day."

Jim Egan says that's the advice from a fellow artist that kept him painting when he was ill with chronic pneumonia and other ailments over the past several years. Stuck at home in Rancho Mirage, he would wake up early — sometimes at 3 or 4 a.m. — and put brush to canvas.

"The interesting thing is, and (he) knew this, is you can't just make one mark."

Egan embarked on a series of portraits of people he admires most, from famous entertainers like Celine Dion, scientists including Albert Einstein, and athletes like Michael Jordan to respected philanthropists, doctors and friends from the Coachella Valley such as Harold Matzner, Donna MacMillan and Gerald Fogelson.

The result is "Icons: Painting by Jim Egan," a show of more than 60 portraits depicting his heroes at the Artists Center at the Galen in Palm Desert. Rendered in acrylic, the vibrant paintings have a geometric mosaic quality that bring new sparkle to familiar faces. The exhibition includes extensive and interesting notes from Egan about why he chose each of his subjects.

Jim Egan signs a copy of the book about his exhibition, Icons: Paintings by Jim Egan, at the Artists Center at the Galen in Palm Desert on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. The show runs through Jan. 22
Jim Egan signs a copy of the book about his exhibition, Icons: Paintings by Jim Egan, at the Artists Center at the Galen in Palm Desert on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. The show runs through Jan. 22

Egan was feted at an opening celebration on Saturday at the center by friends and local dignitaries, who noted that Egan himself has been a big supporter of the Artists Center since even before its separation from the Palm Springs Art Museum several years ago.

Carole Hatcher, director of events and facilities at the Artists Center, recalled that Egan as a museum trustee would come to meetings of the Artists Council board. "We got a good chance to get to know him and appreciate his skills, his thinking, his big ideas, and the joy he put into mentoring," she told a crowd of several hundred on Saturday who assembled in the center's garden. "We had no idea he was such a prolific artist."

Palm Springs Life Editor-in-Chief Steven Biller, who wrote a coffee table book to accompany the exhibition, recalled spending hours with Egan discussing his work and the evolution of his work.

The crowd at the opening reception of Icons: Paintings by Jim Egan at the Artists Center at the Galen in Palm Desert on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. The show runs through Jan. 22
The crowd at the opening reception of Icons: Paintings by Jim Egan at the Artists Center at the Galen in Palm Desert on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. The show runs through Jan. 22

Egan, who spent decades working in the oil industry, traveling extensively around the world, often would paint on airplanes and in hotel rooms when there was little else to do.

"You can see Jim just getting better and better," Biller said of viewing Egan's works from over the years. Egan is already planning a follow-up exhibition in 2025, and Biller said, "It's going to be fun to watch him do this next round of paintings."

Profits from art sales at the exhibition will benefit the programs and operations of the Artists Council.

If you go

  • "Icons: Paintings by Jim Egan."

  • When: Through Jan. 22.

  • Where: Artists Center at the Galen, 72567 Highway 111, Palm Desert

  • Hours: 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Painter Jim Egan opens ‘Icons’ show at Artists Council in Palm Desert