Portia Po Chapman Reveals New Hand Drum Materials – Thanks Bill Worb Furs!
For my new collection of hand painted hand drums, I have been called to use sacred white cedar tree wood and elk rawhide. My supplier for these materials is Bill Worb Furs from Winnipeg, Manitoba. I hope this gives an idea of the size of the drums and the raw materials being used. The drum frames are 14″ in diameter.
I will post more information soon.
Belleville, Ontario, Canada
portia@loveartbypo.ca
613-779-7975
Zhashkoonh ( Muskrat ): Nishnaabemowin Children’s Book by Portia Po Chapman
During the Summer (2021), I began learning Nishnaabemowin. My Trent University Professor was Shirley Ida Williams. Professor Williams wrote the textbook for the course: “Eshkintam Nishinaabemang Mzinagan: Introduction to Nishnaabemowin.” On page iv, Professor Williams describes the dialect as, “The main dialect used in this manual is linguistically classified as Manitoulin Central dialect of Ojibwe and Odawa and is part of Eastern Ojibway and an offshoot of the Mother language of Algonkian.”
It was really exciting to begin my journey learning the language.
As part of the course, I wrote, read aloud, and illustrated my first children’s book in Nishnaabemowin. In this little video, you can read along with me.
Why did I choose to write about the Zhashkoonh ( Muskrat )? As well as being part of the creation story, I enjoyed watching the muskrats as I grew up along side the lake. They always seemed to be a bit more playful than the beavers. While they are tiny, they sure are mighty!
I hope you enjoy reading along with me! Maybe you too can learn few Nishnaabemowin words!
Click to visit my Indigenous Art page.
Belleville, Ontario, Canada
portia@loveartbypo.ca
613-779-7975
2 weeks after completing my Bachelor of Education in August 2020 (Secondary School Teacher of Visual Art and First Nations, Metis and Inuit Studies) I secured my first teaching position.
I was planning on creating a new collection of woodcut prints inspired by the illustrations I did for Queen’s University, but my teaching position and Additional Teaching Qualification courses occupied my time.
In order to focus more on my artwork, I am teaching less this year (2021/22). As so many of us have found our lives altered by Covid-19, I have found a new breath of creative energy.
If there ever was a time to create, now is that time!
I will be posting more of my art process and documentation. Please continue to check in.
I have 3 projects that I have begun. Well, some of the materials have arrived. I’m really excited about this year.
Belleville, Ontario, Canada
portia@loveartbypo.ca
613-779-7975
Yay! I have finally completed my 5 year long Concurrent – Bachelor of Education (Artist in Community Education Concentration) program at Queen’s University! I have earned my two Intermediate – Senior teachable subjects in Visual Arts and First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies. I have grown a lot since my start in the program in 2015. I was so happy to spend the final year of the program with my sister Jasmine (BEd – Communications Technology). Not many sisters get to do their BEd together. Many call us the “Sisters in Education!”
I am so grateful for my practical and theoretical knowledge gained over this degree journey. I can’t wait to start teaching this fall!
Po
Belleville, Ontario, Canada
portia@loveartbypo.ca
613-779-7975
As an Art Teacher and Teacher of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies, I hope to take “Desk” on a learning tour. Covid-19 has taught us that learning happens everywhere in life – if we are willing to learn. The classroom suddenly became our living rooms, bedrooms, and even our cars.
We kept learning during a time that prevented us from going to the school building. I want to take “Desk” on a journey across the country.
A moving journey across our great land whereby each stop along the way invites people to sit at “Desk” and to tell their stories of learning. I really, really like school – sharing, learning, teaching, and so much more.
As the artist, I so aspire for “Desk” to remind all of us that we must not move backward – we must keep moving forward. Learning is everywhere and learning flourishes when we share our stories together.
This is “Desk” in the studio:
“Desk” Artist Statement & Story with Additional Photos Including Construction
Po
Belleville, Ontario, Canada
portia@loveartbypo.ca
613-779-7975
This page has been updated to this page.
When it comes to being a performance artist, one needs to let life happen. I find it thrilling when the audience become the actors. To me, performance art reveals life in real time. What happens around the artist is just as important to the craft as the artist herself.
For Christmas a couple years ago I thought: “Hmmm… The star is going to be the turkey at Nanny’s Christmas supper.”
So I set up the camera on a tripod and videoed our family helping themselves during our meal. When I viewed the footage, I felt really sorry for the turkey so I wrote a song to honour it. Coming from a very musical family, it was so much fun bringing the new song, “Turkey,” to life. The song is so catchy, every now and then, we suddenly start singing or humming it. How funny is that?!
Portia Chapman’s Performance Art Video: “Turkey”
I submitted “Turkey” to the Union Gallery video gala but it was not chosen. I think that they would have really enjoyed it because if you have ever eaten a holiday turkey, you can relate to this real experience. Although this video was not chosen, another performance art video of mine was featured at the show.
Portia Chapman’s Performance Art Video: “Rolling on Campus: An Odyssey of Courage”
Rolling on Campus was a hit. It features me rolling around on the ground and steps at Queen’s University. The camera was hidden the entire time. It is a very emotional performance art. It illustrates how a person can be overlooked in a crowd. When I set out that day to roll, I had no idea how the students would react to me on the ground. From this experience, I learned that there are times in life when we must find strength and get up because there won’t be someone there to help you. I found a strength I never thought I had.
Keep looking out for more performance art!
Po
Belleville, Ontario, Canada
portia@loveartbypo.ca
613-779-7975
The following screenshot is from the Indigenous Initiatives Website.
Hi! I was really excited to notice that my artwork has been published on the new Queen’s University Office of Indigenous Initiatives Website! Portia Chapman Illustrations Page on Queen’s University Office of Indigenous Initiatives Website
It was a really rewarding and enjoyable project. I began the process in August 2019. As a visual artist with Indigenous ancestry on both sides of my family, it was an honour to develop these illustrations that feature traditions across Canada. I began the process with the 7 Grandfather Teachings and then continued from there forward.
I look forward to new art commissions. If you are seeking an artistic illustrator, I can be contacted at loveartbypo@gmail dot com .
Po
Update: On July 14, 2020, the Queen’s University Faculty of Education newsletter featured my illustrations from the Indigenous Initiatives website. I hope that this exposure brings more attention to the Queen’s University Indigenous Initiatives website.
Belleville, Ontario, Canada
portia@loveartbypo.ca
613-779-7975
Love Art By Po: More Portia Chapman Blog Posts to Come. Site Being Updated. Please View the Pages.
Thank you for stopping by. Over the last couple days I have uploaded several images of my art work. My art work can be found in the pages. I will be posting artist statements, reflections, and further information regarding my art. For further information about me, please visit my “About” page. Thanks again, Po.
Belleville, Ontario, Canada
portia@loveartbypo.ca
613-779-7975
Portia Chapman in the Art School Printing Studio – Aren’t the Colours Beautiful?!
This was my first year of printing. I had a ball. This project was really fun. I did a 13 layer woodcut print of my dock at sunset. I hope you like it. Po
Belleville, Ontario, Canada
portia@loveartbypo.ca
613-779-7975
Love Art by Po 
