Painting a Commission: The Tragically Hip Poster Cellar Strictly Limited Series

Earlier in 2025, the wonderful team at Easy Partners LLC reached out with a very special commission. They manage entertainment merchandise for an incredible roster of musical acts – including The Tragically Hip. When they asked if I would create a new painting for a limited-edition poster series celebrating the band, I didn’t hesitate for a second. As one of my all-time favourite Canadian bands and a constant source of inspiration in my studio, my answer was an enthusiastic yes! Creating a Commission For The Tragically Hip – Poster Cellar Series.

The project was to produce a holiday-themed poster, so I began by immersing myself in The Hip’s catalogue. After an initial meeting with Easy Partners in February, I spent weeks listening – returning to my favourites, and then exploring deeper cuts – letting the music wash over me as I searched for the right song to inspire the painting.

Eventually, one track stood out: “Gift Shop.” I listened to it on repeat, lights dimmed in my studio, letting the words spark images in my mind. Certain lyrics began to form the visual core of the piece:

The beautiful lull / The dangerous tug / We get to feel small / From high up above/ The pendulum swings…

And after a glimpse / Over the top / The rest of the world / Becomes a gift shop.

To me, this song evokes that feeling of standing high on a mountain ridge, looking down over a vast valley painted in autumn tones – feeling small, but perfectly in place within the grand view of the world. The valley below becomes a “gift shop,” filled with treasures of light, colour, and wonder. In the painting, Canada geese glide across the sky, their flight path echoing the swing of a pendulum suspended in the clouds. Below, a young couple wearing red toques stands hand in hand at the edge of the vista, ready to face life’s adventures together.

True to my Canadian Pop Art style, the painting incorporates bold outlines, rhythmic composition, and, of course, a signature plaid shirt. The finished work radiates warmth and musicality – a visual symphony inspired by The Hip’s poetic energy.

Once complete, the painting was photographed, and the Tragically Hip gargoyle logo was added to the design. The image was sent to a printer in Vancouver, where I later traveled by ferry to hand-sign 175 limited-edition prints, available exclusively to collectors and fans through The Tragically Hip’s Poster Cellar.

This collaboration has been a dream come true – a merging of visual art and music that celebrates the shared rhythm of Canadian creativity. Limited edition prints are available late November through The Tragically Hip’s online Poster Cellar. Don’t miss the chance to own a piece of this special collaboration between art and music.

Beyond The Prints – The Tragically Hip Poster Cellar Series

In addition to the prints, the original painting will be presented in Brandy Saturley’s solo exhibition The Wild Life at Miller Art Gallery in Edmonton, Canada.

Proceeds from the sale of the painting go to the Miller Art Gallery/Peck Visual Arts Program.