Barrie Designer’s Art Inspired by Tragically Hip Sparks Hope

BREAKING: A graphic designer from Barrie, Ontario, is making headlines after his healing journey captured the attention of the iconic Canadian rock band, The Tragically Hip. Steve Wishart, a long-time artist at CTV News Barrie, has turned his personal struggle with an autoimmune disorder into a powerful artistic statement.

Diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, a condition that causes muscle weakness and double vision, Wishart faced daunting challenges in his daily life. “I was diagnosed with a rare disease called Myasthenia Gravis and basically what would happen is I would see double,” he explained. This diagnosis threatened to derail his passion for art, but Wishart chose resilience over despair.

In an inspiring twist, he embraced drawing as a therapeutic outlet. “For my own therapy, what I tried doing was going back to drawing,” he said. What began as a personal project blossomed into a remarkable typographic illustration of a polar bear, inspired by The Tragically Hip’s song “Gus: The Polar Bear from Central Park.”

The artwork, intricately composed of the word “Gus” written thousands of times, took Wishart nearly 40 hours to complete, double the usual time. “I did it basically by putting a patch on one eye and drawing, then putting a patch on the other eye and then drawing,” he shared. His determination to finish the piece despite his visual impairments is both moving and motivational.

Upon completion, Wishart reached out to The Tragically Hip, uncertain if they would be interested. “It took a couple of tries and they eventually got back to me,” he recalled. To his surprise, the band wanted to produce a lithograph of his illustration, creating a limited run of 150 prints that he would personally sign, in addition to a line of T-shirts featuring the design.

In a statement on The Tragically Hip’s website, Wishart expressed his joy, stating, “Knowing that they’ve seen the art and actually approved it was enough to raise my spirits quite a bit.” The band is featuring his artwork as part of a polar bear awareness campaign, solidifying its importance beyond mere aesthetics.

As if the good news couldn’t get better, Wishart revealed that his medication has taken effect, restoring his vision and allowing him to return to work full-time at CTV News Barrie. While Myasthenia Gravis remains a lifelong challenge, his journey showcases the power of art and determination. “It took time and art to kind of make me aware that there’s more life to keep going and keep pushing,” he said.

This uplifting story highlights not only a creative triumph but also the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Wishart’s journey is a testament to how art can serve as a healing force, inspiring others to find hope amidst their struggles.

Stay tuned for more updates on Steve Wishart’s incredible story and the ongoing polar bear awareness campaign featuring his artwork.