Mike Egan

What Mike Egan does

Mike Egan Studios is a privately held solo-artist business operated by Pittsburgh/Youngstown-based painter Mike Egan, producing original fine art, limited edition prints, and branded merchandise within a dark folk/pop aesthetic rooted in his former career as a licensed embalmer. The studio's core technology is hand-craft: acrylic on canvas, wood panels and cut wood; woodcut printmaking techniques; hand-painted resin figures; hand-thrown ceramic planters; and apparel printing through a local Pittsburgh partner (Commonwealth Press). The business distributes through three owned Squarespace storefronts (paintingshop, print-shop, merchshop), an Etsy shop, and a gallery network of approximately fifteen partners across the US (Copro Gallery LA, Anno Domini San Jose, Keep Contemporary Santa Fe, Thinkspace LA, Roq La Rue Seattle, Stranger Factory Albuquerque, Mortal Machine New Orleans, Revolution Gallery Buffalo, Galactic Panther Alexandria VA) plus international representation in Australia and New Zealand.

Revenue is generated across five streams: original paintings sold $800-$5,000 through galleries and direct studio inquiry; limited edition prints ($25-$130, editions of 25-100) on Epson Fine Art Paper; merchandise spanning $2.50-$350 (stickers through resin figures, ceramics, tarot sets, puzzles); gallery commissions on consigned originals; and licensing/collaboration royalties from partners including Gelaskins, DKE Toys, and House of Roulx. A self-funded '1977' sub-brand unifies apparel and identity work. The studio serves three primary customer segments: fine art collectors (entry-level $175 Tiny Deaths series through $5,000+ originals), fans in alternative/punk/goth subcultures purchasing branded merchandise, and interior designers sourced through gallery and agency partners (Warden Art Agency, Austin). The business has been bootstrapped throughout its 20-year history with no institutional investment, and Mike Egan maintains sole ownership and creative control.

Name

Mike Egan

Legal name

Mike Egan Studios

Website

https://mikeeganart.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Mike Egan Studios is a solo fine art business operated by Pittsburgh-based artist Mike Egan, producing original dark folk/pop paintings, limited edition prints, and branded merchandise distributed through galleries across the US and internationally plus direct e-commerce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fine Art

NAICS

Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (711510), Art Dealers (45992)

SIC

Pottery & Related Products (3260), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741), Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Merchandising & D2C Management (Artists) (MPAIAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Crafts & Maker Arts (Ceramics, Textiles, Jewelry, Mixed Media) (EDAMAAAD)

Keywords

• Original paintings
• Fine art prints
• Ceramic sculpture
• Custom murals
• Artist merchandise

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Original Paintings: One-time sales of original acrylic paintings on canvas and wood panels. Prices range from $1,000 to $5,000. Some wood cutouts also available. Direct sales through studio and via email inquiry for inventory.
2. Fine Art Prints: Limited edition prints on Epson Fine Art Paper, signed and numbered. Editions vary (open edition to limited runs of 25-100). Prices range from $25 to $130. Some prints sold out.
3. Merchandise/Goods: Apparel (t-shirts $27-$50, hoodies), accessories (tote bags $20, stickers $2.50-$7), toys (resin figures $125-$185, Boo Bones Lucky set $350), ceramics ($275), tarot card sets ($85), puzzles ($20), socks ($20-$36), patches ($10), enamel pins ($13), button sets ($20), coloring books ($15), flip-o-scopes ($40-$50), gift cards ($25-$1,000).
4. Gallery Representation & Exhibitions: Partnerships with galleries (Copro Gallery, Anno Domini Gallery, etc.) for solo and group exhibitions. Galleries sell original works and take commission. Some galleries offer payment plans.
5. Licensing/Collaborations: Product collaborations including Gelaskins (phone/laptop cases), 1977 clothing line, DKE toys (resin toys), print collaborations with House of Roulx.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Mike Egan Studios is a solo artist-owned studio that creates and sells original paintings, fine art prints, ceramics, resin figures, illustrated books, branded merchandise, and custom mural commissions. The studio operates as a direct-to-consumer art business supplemented by a small number of interior design and commercial mural commissions.

Product overview

Mike Egan Studios is a contemporary fine art business operated by artist Mike Egan, offering original paintings, fine art prints, and branded merchandise. The core offering centers on original artwork (original paintings on canvas/wood and wood cutouts) sold through the Original Studio Art Collection, alongside Studio Print Editions featuring limited-edition fine art prints. Supporting product lines include Goods/Merchandise (apparel, accessories, stickers, toys, ceramics), publications documenting his work, and custom mural services. The business operates primarily through the artist's Squarespace-powered e-commerce store at mikeeganart.com, with additional sales channels including Etsy, various art galleries (Copro Gallery, Anno Domini Gallery, House of Roulx), and merchandise collaborations (Gelaskins, DKE toys). Mike Egan's artistic style features dark, folk-art inspired imagery with themes of death, skeletons, devils, and religious iconography, with recurring motifs including skulls, black cats, tigers, and coffins.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Sold out artist edition Pearl Jam poster in under a minute
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Copro GallerycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2025Primary gallery partner in Santa Monica/Los Angeles, CA. Multiple solo shows including 'Spirit Animals' (2023), 'After We Are Gone' (2023 via Second St. Gallery), and 'Let It Kill You' (2025). Represented at LA Art Show 2024. Handles original painting sales with collector preview access.
• Anno Domini GallerycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLong-term gallery partner in San Jose, CA. Four solo shows including 'Where Death Goes To Die' (2018), 'Death God Love' (2022), 'Welcome Home' (2024). Known for innovative installations including full-sized house painted inside gallery.
• House of RoulxcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrint collaboration partner for limited edition prints including 'Good Luck Roar', 'Journey Into The Garden', and 'Night Screams'. Creates hand embellished (pencil and paint) signed editions limited to 25 prints.
• Galactic PanthercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGallery partner in Alexandria, VA. 'Nine Lives' exhibition opening May 29, 2026. New relationship emerging as gallery for major shows.
• Warden Art AgencyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustin, TX art agency working with designers decorating homes for clients. First collection of paintings released January 2024. Viewings by appointment with online sales.
• GelaskinsminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerProduct collaboration for phone cases, Android devices, and laptop skins. Four designs available for customization of personal electronics.
• DKE ToysminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResin toy manufacturer. Created Boo the Cat, Bones, and Lucky the Devil figures in Halloween orange and black colorway. Limited to 31 figures each.
• Commonwealth PressminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal Pittsburgh, PA printing partner for apparel. Prints t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies for 1977 clothing line. Long-term production relationship.
• Spire And ScribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublisher of 'Mike Egan: A Life Of Death Paintings 2005-2023' (292 pages, 1,200+ paintings) and 'An Addendum to A Life Of Death Paintings 2024'. Studio copies sold through own channels.
• Keep ContemporaryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSanta Fe, NM gallery. 'Built By Death' solo show October 2022.
• Roq La Rue GalleryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSeattle, WA gallery. 'May Death Leave Us Be' nine painting mini solo show October 2022.
• Stranger FactoryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlbuquerque, NM gallery specializing in dark/alternative art. 'Invisible Monsters' solo show July 2020. 'Folk Noir' group show May 2019.
• Giant Robot/GR2minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLos Angeles gallery. 'Let's Eat' group show August 2019, 'Post-It' group shows 2019-2020.
• Thinkspace ProjectsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLos Angeles gallery. 'Life Is Hard' solo show 2021. Part of curated group shows including LAX/ORD at Vertical Gallery Chicago 2016.
• Mortal Machine GalleryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew Orleans gallery. Fresh paintings sent for new year collection 2022.
• Revolution GalleryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBuffalo, NY gallery. Two-person show 'What We Do Is Secret' with Brandan Styles July 2022.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Superplastic: Creator-driven brand producing designer toys, digital characters, apparel, and collectibles. Comparable to Mike Egan's vertically integrated model of original IP creation plus toys, apparel, and digital content, though at much larger scale and with institutional backing.
• Camille Rose Garcia: Contemporary painter whose dark, pop-surrealist aesthetic and gallery network (Copro Gallery among others) overlaps directly with Mike Egan's. Comparable independent artist with parallel gallery distribution and fine art print lines.
• DKE Toys: Designer toy company that produces and distributes limited-edition vinyl and resin figures with independent artists (including Mike Egan's Boo, Bones, Lucky characters). Direct collaborator and natural comparable for the artist-toy product line.
• Kidrobot: Designer toy and art collectibles brand that collaborates with artists to produce limited-edition vinyl figures and merchandise. Directly comparable to Mike Egan's resin figure (DKE Toys) and branded merchandise lines, both monetizing artist IP through collectible toys and apparel.
• Matt Gondek: Contemporary pop artist known for deconstructive pop-culture imagery with strong gallery representation and original-painting + merchandise business model. Comparable independent artist operating a multi-channel art and merchandise brand.
• Brandan Styles: Independent dark/contemporary artist exhibiting similar death-themed, pop-culture-influenced artwork and collaborating with Mike Egan on two-person shows. Most direct peer in terms of aesthetic, gallery footprint, and independent artist-operated business model.
• Travis Louie: Contemporary figurative artist with gallery representation, book publications, and limited-edition prints. Comparable solo-artist business model with similar mix of original paintings, fine art prints, and collector-focused pricing.

Regional players

• Anno Domini Gallery: San Jose-based contemporary art gallery and long-term Egan partner. Comparable gallery-format peer operating in the same dark/alternative art category from a commercial-gallery perspective.
• Copro Gallery: Long-term gallery partner of Mike Egan representing dark, lowbrow, and pop-surrealist artists. Comparable as a commercial entity in the dark/contemporary art gallery space, though operating from a different role (gallery vs. artist).

Emerging players

• Justin Gaffrey: Independent contemporary artist producing original paintings with strong collector following and direct e-commerce sales. Comparable solo-artist model with original works + merchandise, though in a different visual aesthetic (coastal/surf-inspired).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutu.be/-aQzpNHiXcE
• Facebookfacebook.com/Mike77Egan

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mike Egan