Portrait Photo of Indigenous Artist Portia Po Chapman While On Inspiration Nature Walk

Circle Art by Po

… with you in mind

Hi, I am Portia ‘Po’ Chapman (BFAH, B.Ed)- a Kingston Based Freelance Commission Visual Artist, Illustrator and Drum Maker.

I specialize in beautiful, uplifting artworks that are intensely coloured with deep flowing line-work inspired by wild grapevine silhouettes cast by the bright noonday sun.

As a Commissioned Artist, I endeavor to enthusiastically illustrate your chosen stories & messages. Circle Art by Po provides a welcoming, impactful focal point, whether it be on a hand drum, website, business card, shirt, fence or wall.

Circle Art by Po is a highlight for Personal, Business, Charity, Education, Municipal & Gallery projects – large or small.

From $300 / project

Please use the contact form at bottom of page to enter here your comment, brief project description and/or request. I will respond to you within 2 days.

portia@loveartbypo.ca

For further information, including my CV and About page, please see my online working art portfolio and new Hand Painted Drum Exhibition: “Drumming Sounds of Colour” at the link below:

click here for loveartbypo.ca

Murals

“Building a Bright Future” 72″D Interior Acrylic on Board

Client brief: (a) using brand colours as a base, create an image that depicts the property, location and activity of the space; (b) make it portable so that it can mounted in special locations for events; (c) make it 3D to suggest a hand drum.

“Exploring the Senses” 66″D Exterior Acrylic on Board

Client brief: (a) using brand colours as a base, create a whimsical image that depicts the Sensory Garden and children joyously interacting with the space, animals, land and each other; (b) make it in two halves to be mounted on a garden gate.

“My Creation in Circle” 48″ Acrylic on Canvas: Square Cropped for Circular Prints

Client brief: Reformat the Cover of the Queen’s University ASUS Journal of Indigenous Studies into a large painting to hang above the fireplace in Indigenous Reflection Room. Originally, I digitally designed the cover image illustration for the inaugural edition.

Hand Painted Hand Drums

“Alive” 14″ Circular Drum Acrylic on Elk Rawhide over White Cedar Frame

Client Brief- Gallery Collection: This abstract illustration of being “Alive” was created as proposal for further discussion. This drum image was initially drawn spontaneously. Then it was graphically enhanced before being painted. It will be a beautiful contemporary collection that remains true to my style and self as an artist.

“Elder in Residence” 14″ Circular Drum Acrylic on Elk Rawhide over White Cedar Frame

Client Brief – Queen’s University Faculty of Education: I was assigned the theme, “Elder in Residence.” I also created a series of digital website icons for the client and this was one of them.

“Peace” 14″ Circular Drum Acrylic on Elk Rawhide over White Cedar Frame

Client Brief – Private Collector: My client liked a few images of mine and requested a drum to be made for his wife. He gave no further instructions. She was very pleased to receive, “Peace.”

Website Digital Icons

Faculty of Education Queen’s University – 7 Icon Collection

“Indigenous Traditional Knowledge” Digital Website Icon

Client Brief FOE Queen’s: (a) intensely coloured circular icon; (b) illustrative interpretation of the theme “Indigenous Traditional Knowledge;” (c) must include active people. This image was inspired by Indigenous stories of being guided by Creation and the Land.

“Sharing” Digital Website Icon

Client Brief FOE Queen’s: (a) intensely coloured circular icon; (b) illustrative interpretation of the theme “Sharing;” (c) must include active people. This image was inspired by Indigenous stories of how the Great Bear taught the First People how to survive and live on the Land.

“Giving & Generosity” Digital Website Icon

Client Brief FOE Queen’s (a) intensely coloured circular icon; (b) illustrative interpretation of the theme “Giving & Generosity;” (c) must include active people. This image was inspired by Indigenous stories of trade, community, and generosity. Also, I felt encouraged to illustrate the essence of my family’s life – distributing what we collect during harvests – we are not alone.

Office of Indigenous Initiatives Queen’s University – 10 Icon Collection

“Love” Digital Website Icon

Client Brief OII Queen’s: At first, we did not really know how the project was going to turn out. The University’s team referred me to imagery at other North American Universities. I came up with the idea after seeing a vision of circles. The team trusted me and we created the circle icons. This image was inspired by mothers’ love, endurance of geese, and the watchful eye of the mighty Bald Eagle.

“Knowledge” Digital Website Icon

Client Brief OII Queen’s: The inclusive brief request was: create images that are inspired by First Nations and Metis students / employees who come to Queen’s University – from East to West and North to South. This image was inspired by Algonquin stories of the Seven Grandfather Teachings

“Truth” Digital Website Icon: went viral across Canada on “Orange Shirt Day” during the first Annual Week of “the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation” when Queen’s posted it on their official landing page.

Client Brief OII Queen’s: There were 10 images in total and they have become an integral part of OII’s branding. Their web designers are doing really amazing things with both the colour and b&w images. For this image, I was inspired by a Clan Mother telling stories around a sacred sharing circle with the bonfire in the middle. Creating this image and being swept up by its organic liveliness has been one of the most emotional and meaningful experiences in my lifetime. I am grateful for the opportunity to illustrate TRUTH.

Broadview Press Book Illustrations

“We are Here” Textbook Cover Image

Dr. Andrea Sullivan-Clarke saw some of my artwork that I had done for Queen’s University and contacted me. This image was a magnificent experience to create that required much listening and waiting for Indigenous Traditional Guidance. The image illustrates the essence and spirit of the following message: “No matter the abundance of turbulent waters that people Indigenous to Turtle Island have faced, our collective story resounds… WE ARE STILL HERE!”

“Untitled” Chapter 3 Title Page Image – The published original image is B&W.

Client Brief from the Editor: (a) create a black and white image; (b) use key words to guide the image; (c) after reading the drafted content (writings/essays/images) included in the chapter, create an inspired image reflecting that content; (d) with the aid of Indigenous Traditional Knowledge, pictorially relate the image to visions and information received along the journey of engaging with the chapter. This brief was carried throughout the project.

Broadview Press Listing Listing Link

Client Brief from the Publisher: Similar to the editor’s brief but with the following: (a) make one full colour cover image and 5 B&W images (one for each chapter) that are easily translatable for a print publication; (b) make the images to be effective title book/page prompts for the content to follow; (c) images need to be high contrast and sharp without fuzzy edges; (d) be able and willing to edit images as needed/requested; (e) without exception, meet the planned deadlines as set out by the publisher’s timetable.