Love Art by Po
Custom Frame Drums
“Canadian Contemporary Artist Po Makes Jaw Dropping Custom Frame Drums So Meticulously Handcrafted & Freehand Brush-Painted that Galleries Seek to Exhibit Them.”
Uniquely Artistic Drums by Po in Kingston, Ontario
Hi, I’m Po. I am an artisanal frame drum maker in Kingston, Ontario. At my studio, I carefully make all of the components of each drum. They are truly handmade and one-of-a-kind works of art. I mill the wood, steam bend and finish the frames, and I soak, stretch and string the rawhide heads. Once dry in a humidity controlled space, I freehand brush-paint the faces using my signature colour blocking style. All of the drums are both sumptuous instruments and beautiful art pieces. Drum prices typically range from $200-$3000. The drums that I make are drummed and collected by adults of all ages, genders, backgrounds, and traditions. I would be honoured to make one for you.
Po Makes Three Grades of Frame Drums
Drums are amazingly personal. A drum picks the drummer as much as the drummer picks the drum. It defies explanation. It seems almost miraculous. This is the reason why I make all kinds of frame drums – different shapes, sizes, stringing patterns, pleating, material combinations, natural rawhide opacities and colourations, as well as painted images. There are no 2 drums alike. Because of this, I try to keep 25+ finished drums in my humidity controlled private studio. Another cool thing is, every drum is playable and able to have their drum heads painted with a custom image made just for you. The 3 grades of frame drums are:
Gallery Grade Drums
Gallery Grade Drums / Painted Rawhide Art are strung for mounting and created with the collector/curator in mind. These drums most often feature one of my signature freehand brush-painted storytelling images. These drums range in price: from $400+.
Instrumental Grade Drums
Instrument grade drums are delicately tuned to achieve an emotional resonance with the advanced drummer in mind. Drum connoisseurs comment that they can feel the drums vibrations throughout their bodies. I make the drums, including steamed and hend-bent hardwood drum frames, at my private Love Art By Po Kingston Art Studio. Although these drums can have stunning painted images on their heads, most drummers prefer to drum upon natural, unpainted rawhide. These drums are priced from $700.
Drum Circle Grade Drums
Drum circle grade drums are created with the travelling drummer in mind. I make these drums with heavier hides and more durable, colourfully painted and varnished frames. Let’s face it, we all need drums that will stand up to drumming by the bonfire and community halls where many people may touch and move the drums. For these drums, I make leather drum bags that even have pockets for drums sticks.
Do-It-Yourself Drum Making Kits
If, you’d like to make your own drum, I have drum kits that you can purchase for as low as $120 each. Each drum kit includes instructions, finished drum frame, synthetic sinew, and ethically sources natural rawhide ready to string. If you are concerned about not being able to make your kit-drum, there is not need for concern. I offer drum making workshops in the Kingston region.
Drum Making Workshops
Do you want to learn how to string and stretch a drum? Maybe, you purchased some drum kits. Well I can teach you. With the purchase of 4 drum kits (minimum), I offer complimentary drum making lessons. We work in pairs to make each drum and there is no previous experience required. This is really great way meet new people or have fun with loved ones. These adult oriented workshops are great for friends and family gatherings, home parties, Universities and Colleges, staff team building exercises, and creative community placemaking activities.
All three grades of my Frame Drums can be drummed and sound beautiful. Also, all drums make stunning additions to interior decorating while also offering architectural and interior design functions (such as for sound, focal point and essence of comfort). I have 2 in my living room, one above the fireplace and the other overlooking my dad’s lounge chair. My dad has dementia and his drum brings him comfort. Drums have an amazing ability to create a soothing environment that can be adjusted for resonance. Just imagine my drum room with 20+ drums in it. When standing amongst them, one feels like everything is alright in our world. It is such a treat.
Custom Painted Drums Available
As with all my artwork, I offer custom made drums too. Some clients seek custom drums for art collections, to complete interior design plans, and to give as gifts (such as for baptisms, birthdays, weddings and graduations). Some advanced drummers seek custom drums with very specific pitches, tones, and resonances. As well, spiritual healers seek chakra-specific drums for their sessions. I have a wide selection of drums, but sometimes, custom drums make the best fit. This is a wonderfully rewarding experience for all parties. Maybe, this is the time that you gift yourself a custom drum too. You deserve it!
Choose from Two Types of Custom Drums
1/ completely custom order (from $1000)
2/ client buys drums already created, a custom image is created and then painted onto the drum’s face (from $500).
Custom drums are really special and reflect the voice of the commissioning client. If you are looking to buy a piece of art for someone special who has everything, this is the ideal gift. Nobody will ever have another drum like it.
What is the Difference Between Frame Drums and Hand Drums?
Frame Drums are hand drums in which the diameter of the drum head is greater than the depth of the shell (or frame). They are found in many different cultures, each with their own unique playing techniques and sound concepts. For an example, the frame drums that I make range from 2″-5″ deep and 7″-24″ in diameter. The rim shapes also range from circular to egg shapes. By freehand bending the wood, each shape is original and has its own character. This means that every drum has its own sound and resonance. The process of drum making is a wondrous adventure. Although I am of Indigenous ancestry, I am a self-taught drum maker and use my own signature crafting method, stringing technique and painting style. I adore making frame drums for everyone.
Why Does Po Make Frame Drums?
I lovingly make drums because a wood and rawhide drum is a sustainable, inclusive and grounding art form. Rawhide is my favourite canvas upon which to paint. I carefully work with the rawhide with honour for the animal who gave its life so that I can make a drum with its hide. I find that when we drum a rawhide drum, we give the animal back its voice. I never throw out even the smallest piece. I think that is why the drums I make are so special. Over time, every culture around the world has incorporated drumming into the ways of life. Owning a drum and drumming is for all types of people with varying backgrounds. Drums bring friends and families together.
“If you entered this world
with a heart beating
against your chest,
then you were born
drumming.”
I look forward to creating and fitting a drum just for you. Maybe, we can make drums together at a Drum Making Workshop.
Contact me today.
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