Love Art By Po
Colourful Storytelling Illustrations

“Po’s Well Researched, Contemporary Illustrations Clearly Tell Stories Beautifully.”

Kingston Illustrator Portia “Po” Chapman Tells Stories

Hi, I am Po, a commissioned, multidisciplinary, art illustrator based in Kingston, Ontario. Storytelling is a fundamental component to life and development. I grew up sharing stories. My parents, grandparents and great grandparents all told stories and welcomed the telling of my stories. In my family, story affirms our truth. One of the first things my art mentor told me was: “If art does not tell a story, it is not art.” Although this page highlights some of my commissioned/licensed illustrations for print and digital publishing, my illustrative work is multidisciplinary; even my drum art, murals, and sculptural installations are illustrative. As a commissioned visual storyteller, I tell my clients’ stories using various mediums. Before I begin creating an illustrative work, I ask: “Please tell me your story.”

Broadview Press Book

In 2021, I was contacted by an editor from Oklahoma. Dr Andrea Sullivan-Clarke was creating a textbook anthology of Indigenous writings directly related to the ways of being on Turtle Island. Dr Sullivan-Clarke knew of my work, for as professor at the University of Windsor, she was familiar with the illustrations that I previously created for Queen’s University in 2019 and 2020. For the book, Ways of Being in the World: An Introduction to Indigenous Philosophies of Turtle Island, I created the cover art and title page images for each chapter. To create these illustrations, I read the draft writings and key words contained within the essays. From that research, I created illustrations that weaved the text into visual storytelling images. Since a project like this had not been done before, it was a wondrous adventure. I am truly blessed to have been commissioned as illustrator for this cutting edge textbook.

Po’s illustrations “capture the ideas and themes of the [book’s] content and invites the reader to take in the images. Working with Po was a dream, as she listened and read drafts, making suggestions that only made the book better. It is traditional, yet contemporary…” – Dr Andrea Sullivan-Clarke – Editor of “Ways of Being in the World: An Introduction to the Indigenous Philosophies of Turtle Island”

“Thanks again for the excellent artwork you provided… the book… turned out wonderfully; your art is a big part of that.” – Broadview Press

To Purchase the Book or Read Its Abstract Please Visit the Broadview Press Website

Queen’s University Illustrations

The first published illustration that I created for Queen’s was “My Creation” for the cover of the inaugural edition of the ASUS Journal of Indigenous Studies (2017). The image illustrates a combination of Indigenous creation stories. When working for Queen’s, inclusive cultural representations is paramount. In this issue, I had multiple artworks included throughout the journal.

“Queen’s University is very grateful for Po’s art creations featured [across] the University.” – Faculty of Education

In 2019, I was invited to create 10 new and fresh images for the Queen’s University Office of Indigenous Initiatives website. Queen’s wanted to stand out from other Universities. At that time, a series of graphic circles with Indigenous themes had not yet been successfully published in Canadian Universities. Since publishing these digital circular icons, each illustrating an Indigenous theme, they have been celebrated and included in multiple print documents as well. During the week of Canada’s first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, Queen’s created a Zoom background featuring “Truth” illustration in the collection. Then they featured the image on the University landing page. On the day of NDTR, the “Truth” image went viral across the country and even internationally.

In 2020, the Queen’s University Faculty of Education commissioned 7 more digital illustrations to tell the stories of the departments’ 7 pillars of education. They liked the illustrations so much that I was featured in the Alumni Review and they commissioned me to make a drum for them with the Elder in Residence illustration painted on it.

Creative City Impact Awards 2025

In September 2025, I innovated an illustration from a painting that I did for a gallery exhibition in 2024. I created a circular digital illustration of the “Nature’s Help Hands.” After licensing the usage of the illustration, Creative City made stunning, full-colour, plaque-style awards with my illustration prominently featured. It was an honour to re-create the image for this National organization.

“We are so pleased with how the [art illustration] turned out on the awards! It’s a very stunning image.” – Creative City Network of Canada

Logos for WEYTK

In 2023, I was commissioned to create a circular logo for WEYTK Communities Inc. in BC. The CEO had seen my “Truth” image and wanted something fresh and contemporary for his company. Again, I created a ground breaking illustration; this time in the form of a logo. In 2023, storytelling, picturesque logos hardly existed and none of them had the graphic punch of colour that the CEO desired. Now in 2025, the storytelling illustrative trend for Indigenous-related organizations is becoming more popular. The illustration that I created is a visual representation of the business and its heritage. In 2025, the company commissioned an additional illustrative logo for its new division. For this new one, the illustration told another chapter of the company’s story.

“The Logo that Po Created is Very Sacred to Me & the Meaning of My Company.” – WEYTK Communities Inc.

“It’s Always a Pleasure Working with Po and I Cannot Tell You How Much I Appreciate Everything About Her Process.” – Yucwmenúl’ecw Construction Group

King Township Land Acknowledgement Image

In 2025, King Township, just West of Toronto, Ontario, commissioned me to create an illustration for their new Land Acknowledgement signs. The illustration captured the voice and character of the land, especially the moraine. As well, as telling the Land’s story, in the image, I illustrated King Township’s farming and stewardship efforts to preserve the Land in the face of development. For this illustration, I created a balance between the stories and historical record. When I first began the project, I had people who worked for the township write in with answers to some research questions that I provided the administration. Two aspects of King were repeated as being important to every participant: a/ the open blue sky, b/ the green moraine. Historical record agreed. The completed project also incorporated Land Acknowledgment text on top of the open blue sky. It was a true joy to create such a meaningful illustrative landscape for King Township.

“Thank you for your creative talent and endless patience… The result will look beautiful displayed across King Township. It has been a pleasure to work with you.” – King Township.

Kingston Artist Portia “Po” Chapman

Service Region

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

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