Portia Po Chapman – Visual Storytelling through Murals, Installations, Drums & Illustrations

Multidisciplinary Artist & Creative Placemaker
Kingston, Ontario

Based in Kingston, Ontario, Portia “Po” Chapman (BFAH, B.Ed, ACE) is a professional contemporary artist specializing in the conceptualization and execution of large-scale public art installations, murals, and multidisciplinary illustrations. As a recipient of the Queen’s University Medal in Visual Art, Portia transforms personal, public, corporate, and municipal spaces through a unique visual language of vibrant, nature-rooted storytelling.

Her practice views the world through the lens of a storyteller, where “illustration” spans from 2D digital publishing to immersive, site-specific physical monuments. As an Artist in Community Education Specialist (ACE), Portia integrates heritage and community engagement into her public works, making her a preferred choice for municipal projects that require both high-level artistry and deep public resonance.

At the heart of Portia’s work is community building, honouring nature, and the stewardship of heritage arts, most notably the making of bespoke frame drums. She bridges the gap between time-honoured techniques and the future of creative expression by merging hand-crafting with digital innovation. This “hybrid” methodology utilizes everything from Photoshop and CNC precision to global e-tutorials, fostering community wellbeing and intercultural connection by creating shared spaces for mutual respect, togetherness and creative expression.

Core Offerings for Municipal & Corporate Clients:

• Public Art Installations: Immersive, durable works designed for public interaction.
• Custom Murals: Large-scale interior and exterior painted works (spanning up to 14’x6′ and beyond).
• Professional Illustrations: Digital and physical media for institutional publishing.
• Educational Leadership: Art talks and specialized workshops, including drum-making.

“Po is a Canadian Creative Force with a Unique Artistic Style Featuring Bold, Colourful Images Inspired by Nature.”

The Creative Vision Behind Love Art by Po

Hi, I’m Portia “Po” Chapman (BFAH, BEd, OCT).

I am a Kingston-based contemporary visual artist reclaiming my Indigenous ancestry through the creation of vibrant, storytelling, nature-inspired art. My work is designed to be expressive and immersive, whether it lives in a digital space, on a physical canvas, or as a large-scale public installation. My signature colour-blocking style is inspired by ancient wild grapevine silhouettes cast by the rural Tweed noonday sun.

This site is a window into my artistic journey. Here, you will find my portfolio, weekly insights into my creative process, and an invitation to collaborate on your next custom art project.

I look forward to bringing your vision to life. Email: Portia@LoveArtByPo.ca

How does Po’s Relationship with the Land Inform Her Artistic Practice?

From a very young age, I found peace and inspiration in the woods. My first artworks were made of rocks, feathers, sticks and wildflowers. That relationship with the Land continues to guide my creative process today. As a woman with non-status Indigenous ancestry, I’ve been on a personal journey of reclamation – one that informs each original piece that I create.

How Did Ancient Grapevines Inspire Po’s Style?

When I was a young girl, growing up surrounded by the forest, my favourite place to play was beneath a thicket of grapevines and cedar boughs. I would take my dollies, lay upon the leaves and watch the sun pass above. While upon hollow logs, ruffed grouse drummed their wings, wild turkeys gobbled, the sun and grapevines created beautiful, dreamy shapes reminiscent of stained glass windows. While there, in my special place, I could not help but smile!

When did Po Innovate Her Unique Style?

In 2016, while working toward my BFAH at Queen’s University, I developed my own unique visual language: a crisp, freehand colour-blocking technique guided by the wild grapevine shadows cast by the noonday sun of my childhood. Through this technique, I aim to create uplifting, immersive, and organically bold works of art that invite joy, reflection, and the sharing of cherished memories.

Selected Public Art Commissions & Professional Engagements

2026 | Interactive Life-Sized Rawhide Art Installation: Pocket Gallery, TETT Centre

2025 | Municipal Land Acknowledgement Imagery: Public Installation Project, Township of King.

2025 | Large-Scale Mural Commission: 14′ x 6′ Seamless Mural, Strong Enterprises.

2025 | Creative City Impact Awards: Featured Image “Nature’s Helping Hands”.

2025 | City of Kingston Mural Competition: Shortlisted Professional Artist.

2024 | Published Cover Art & Illustration: Ways of Being in the World: An Introduction to Indigenous Philosophies.

2023 | Solo Exhibition (Public Gallery): “Drumming Sounds of Colour,” John M. Parrott Art Gallery.

2022–2023 | Permanent Mural Installations: Series of three murals for BASE31, Picton, Ontario.

Does Po Offer Art Talks and Workshops?

Yes, Portia Po Chapman offers a sophisticated suite of Art Talks and Community Arts Workshops designed for diverse audiences, including art galleries, institutional spaces, and local community groups.

As an Artist in Community Education Specialist (ACE) with a BEd from Queen’s University, she brings a high level of pedagogical expertise to every session, ensuring that her workshops are as educationally sound as they are artistically inspiring.

Current Workshop Offerings

Portia currently specializes in three primary adult workshops that blend technical skill with nature-rooted storytelling:

• Hand Drum Making: A signature workshop focusing on the traditional and innovative aspects of frame drum construction.
• Needle Felting Brooches: A tactile, fiber-arts exploration of form and texture.
• Scratchboard Art: A detailed technique-driven session for creating high-contrast imagery.

Community Engagement & Professional Art Talks

Her practice extends beyond hands-on making into the realm of Institutional Arts Advocacy:

• Art Gallery Talks: She has delivered professional presentations at venues such as the Noel Bullock Gallery in Gananoque, Ontario.
• Community Leadership: She regularly leads public engagement initiatives, such as Creation Station at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre in Kingston.
• Digital Learning: To reach a global audience, she provides Frame Drum Making E-tutorials via her blog and YouTube channel, with more “how-to” educational videos currently in development.

Local & Regional Service

While she serves clients across Canada and the USA for commissions, her in-person workshops are primarily focused on the Kingston, Ontario region.

Institutional Arts Leadership & Community Engagement

In parallel with her studio practice, Portia is a certified Artist in Community Education Specialist (ACE). She leverages her pedagogical background to lead complex community art initiatives, integrating Media Art and Indigenous Studies into public-facing projects.

As a BFAH, BEd, and Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT), Portia brings a rare level of institutional professional standards to her commissions. This background ensures that every large-scale installation or mural project is managed with:

• High-Level Project Management: Expertise in coordinating with municipal and educational boards.
• Inclusive Engagement: Designing public art that resonates with diverse demographics, from youth to seniors.
• Educational Advocacy: Providing art talks and workshops that deepen the public’s connection to the installation.

Her work in Kingston and Picton, Ontario, serves as a testament to her belief that arts education is vital to community development. By bridging the gap between a professional studio practice and institutional leadership, Portia offers a multidisciplinary approach that is both artistically bold and logistically sound.

Mission Statement

“My mission is to transform public and private spaces through uplifting, storytelling art that serves as a catalyst for resilience, belonging, and beauty. I create immersive works that stand for something deeper: the power of the communal and personal spirit to triumph over adversity. By bridging the gap between nature-rooted tradition and modern installation, I strive to create landmark experiences that inspire reflection, celebrate our shared history, and remind us that moving forward together is a beautiful journey.

My philosophy is simple: Art should not only capture the eye but positively encourage the human spirit—because a community that smiles together, thrives together.”

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“Life just feels better when we smile.”

Serving Clients Across Canada & USA

Based in Kingston and primarily serving Greater Napanee, Belleville, Gananoque, Picton, Peterborough, Toronto, Ottawa, Ontario

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Looking to commission a mural, drum, illustration, painting or digital image?
I’d love to hear from you.

Contact Po Using Form Below

Love Art by Po

Storytelling Art & Art Services
Portia “Po” Chapman / Kingston, ON

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