Mendota Heights Artist Puts His 'Signature' on WineFest Fundraiser

Last year, Mendota Heights artist Jimmy Reagan, now 18 years old, was the first patient of University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital to also have his .

This year, Reagan's work was chosen to be the signature piece. Reagan's accomplishment was featured Sept. 29 in the Pioneer Press.

The son of Brian Reagan and Peg Schneeman Reagan, Jimmy was diagnosed with autism in 1996. Art has become his form of expression in a world where it's difficult to communicate.

His style is influenced by the impressionist painters he loves, and features bold colors and gestural "tick" marks.

You may already be familiar with his style; a collection of his work was on display last spring at .

In his written artist's statement for the WineFest 2012 featured work, "Cafe at Night," Reagan said he used a contrast of blues, yellows and oranges to create a scene of a cafe that just closed for the night.

"Cafe at Night" will be used in the fundraiser's marketing materials, and then auctioned off at the annual gala, scheduled for May 11-12, 2012.

Images of Jimmy Reagan's work is also for sale around town, including a basket of gift cards that can often be found at Fischerville Coffee House on Dodd Road.