BIOGRAPHICAL ARTIST STATEMENT
Mitchell S Chatham, artist name 'soulfeather', was born in the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa, the Syilx, and the Sinixt peoples: Nelson, BC, and was raised in the traditional territory of the Sathloot, Sasitla, Ieeksun, Puntledge, Cha'chae, and Tat'poos Island peoples: Comox Valley, BC.
Currently, after much creative migration, he resides in the traditional territory of the Lkwungen peoples: Victoria, BC. As a liaison, while following and respecting sacred protocols, his community murals illustrate natural beauty and cultural procession in styles ranging from realism to abstract. As an installation and improvisational artist since 2000 at major music & transformational festivals, (from Haida Gwaii, Queen Charlotte Islands, BC to La Jolla, San Diego, CA) soulfeather has developed a unique style in the midst of international collaboration.
His creative process finds its soul in nature and comity incorporating metaphors that influence the heart and mind together.
statement of interest
mitchell soulfeather, born in Nelson BC, has been studying Holistic Healing, shamanism and Fine Art, both formally and informally, since 1994 when three years prior he was initiated on a spiritual path by a competitive skiing injury that left him in severe chronic pain, deep depression and self-destructive behavior.
he first discovered his psychic abilities at the age of four when he received a powerful premonition about his father’s health that soon after came to pass. then, while growing up in Dove Creek on Vancouver Island, his mother ran a shelter at home for injured wild birds giving him an intimate connection to eagles, hawks, falcons, owls and other feathered friends. to this day soulfeather can communicate on a conscious level with birds in some circumstances and with the use of the medicine wheel.
in 2000 soulfeather began to perform as an artist combining his knowledge of mysticism and shamanism with his gifts as an artist. since 2003 soulfeather has been painting large murals, employing/mentoring youth and collaborating with First Nations elders and communities.
soulfeather has been facilitating intuitive Sessions professionally since 2000, and was featured as a psychic on City TV's, Vancouver Channel 13, Breakfast Television Show. he is the co-author and designer of a national bestseller '“Be The Change Oracle” and is passionately engaged in personal and collective evolution.
Professional highlights:
Systemic constellation explorations, therapeutic art sessions (one on One)
Achievement highlight:
National bestselling coauthor: ‘be the change’ oracle
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: FINE ART
2017 – 2019: Teaching painting and piano, Gulf Islands Families Together Society: Salt Spring Island, BC
2018: Curator, “Lucky and the Inquisition” Painting and Illustration, Salt Spring Library: Salt Spring, BC
2017: Mural Assistant, Volunteer, “We are Salt Spring” banner by Greg Klassen, Salt Spring Island, BC
2017: Mural Installation, rainbow road: Salt Spring Island, BC
2016: Mural Installation, Aloha Aina Farm: Salt Spring Island, BC
2016: Logo Design, Be Nurtured: Salt Spring Island, BC
2014-2015: Headline Artist, Improvisational Artist, Installation Art & Stage Design, Astral Harvest Music Festival: Driftpile, AB
2015: Business Signage & Logo, Naomi Singh: Salt Spring Island, BC
2013: Improvisational Artist, Installation Art, Firefly Lantern Festival: Salt Spring Island, BC
2013: Headline Artist, Improvisational Art, Installation Art & Stage Design: Luminosity Music Festival, Shawnigan Lake, BC
1999 - 2012: Headline Artist, Improvisational Art Installation Art, Workshop Facilitator, public dreams society, Illuminares Lantern Festival: Vancouver, BC
2011 - 2012: Headline Artist, Improvisational Artist, Installation Art & Stage Design, Entheos Gathering: Boston Bar, BC
2011: Headline Artist, Improvisational Artist, Installation Art & Stage Design, Motion Notion: Drayton Valley, AB
2000 - 2011: Resident Artist, Improvisational Art, Installation Art & Stage Design, Shambhala Music Festival: Salmo, BC
2009: Public Mural, Principle Contractor, Youth Mentor, Community Liaison, Lebelco Fair Grounds: Bella Coola, BC
2008: Improvisational Artist, Installation Art, “Art Car”: Rise Music Festival: La Jolla, San Diego, CA
2008: Logo Design, Be The Change Oracle: Whistler, BC
2005 - 2008: Community Mural, Project Coordinator, Principle Artist, Art Mentor, Community Liaison: Prince Rupert, BC
2007: 2010 Legacies Grant recipient: Prince Rupert, BC
2007: Private Murals (interior), Lane Harmon: Forest Falls, CA
2007: Artist is Classroom, Art Starts, Charles hays secondary school: prince rupert, bc
2007: Private Mural (exterior), Memorial Site: Prince Rupert, BC
2006: Youth (High Risk) Film Making Project, Ages nine to eleven, school district 52/ministry of children and families: Prince Rupert, BC
2005 - 2006: Improvisational Artist, Installation Art & Stage Design: Kispiox Music Festival:
Kispiox, BC
2005: Public Mural, Principal Contractor: Skeena Queen Charlotte Regional District: Prince Rupert, BC
2004: Public Mural, Art & Youth Mentor: Prince Rupert Arts Council: Prince Rupert, BC
2003: Improvisational Artist, Installation Art & Stage Design: Edge of the World Music Festival:
Tlell, BC
2002: Sandwich Board, Diva's Salon: Nelson, BC
2001: Installation Art & Stage Design, Pixies and Fools: Roberts Creek, BC
2000: Private Mural, Janice Fiegie: Vancouver, BC
2000: Logo Design, Security Company: Courtenay, BC
1999: Custom Paintings, interior design: Hobgoblins Cafe: Courtenay, BC
1998: Illustrations, Massage Therapy Manuals: Courtenay, BC
1998: Custom Paintings, interior design: TJ's Cabaret: Courtenay, BC
1999 - 1999: Illustrations, Newspaper Comic Strip: TJ's Cabaret: Courtenay, BC
1998: 'The Fires', Acrylic Series of VII, Private Collection: Kelowna, BC
1997: Commercial Signage, 'Bubble Tea': Kelowna, BC
1994: Tattoo design: Whistler BC
1993 - 1995: Wildlife Paintings on Denim, Commissions/Retail: BC
1991 - 1995: Custom Painting on Skis & Snowboards, Commissions: BC
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: BUTOH, Action Theatre, IMPROVISATIONAL SOUND AND MOVEMENT, FLOCKING (GUERRILLA STREET THEATRE)
2015: Solo Butoh Performance, Atsral Harvest Music Festival: Driftpile, AB
2014: Solo Butoh Performance, Astral Harvest Music Festival: Driftpile, AB
2013-2014, Facilitator, “Play Temple” (Improvisational Sound and Movement classes), Salt Spring Wellness Centre: Ganges, BC
2007: Solo Butoh Performance, Dessert Theatre, Tom Rooney Playhouse: Prince Rupert, BC
2007: Director, Action Theatre, Dessert Theatre, Tom Rooney Playhouse: Prince Rupert, BC
2005: Flocking street theatre facilitation, Mid summer Music Festival: Smithers, BC
2004: Facilitator/Artist, Flocking, Buskers Festival, (Peoples Choice award): Nelson, BC
2000-2003: Instructor/Artist, Street Theatre & Weekend Intensives: Nelson BC,
2002: Improvisational Sound and Movement, “Heartbeat”, C0-director/Artist, Performarch Festival: Nelson, BC
2002: Group Action Theatre Performance, OSO negro cafe: Nelson, BC
2002: Improvisational Movement and Butoh with Thomas Loh, Baker Street: Nelson, BC
2002: Group Butoh Performance, Directed by Thomas Loh: Nelson, BC
2001: Group Action Theatre Performance, Haw Wah Studio: Nelson, BC
2001: Group Action Theatre Performance, PlaySpace Studio: Nelson, BC
EDUCATION
systemic constellation program (facilitators training): 2020-2021
jan Hull, systemic solutions - Crofton, BC
Embracing Success - Educating Students with Down Syndrome: 2018
Greater Victoria Down Syndrome Society - Victoria, BC
improvisational sound & movement - Professional Performers Training: 2014
Ruth Zaporah - Vancouver, BC
Wild Root Vocal Training - Part One and Two: 2013
Amit Carmeli - Salt Spring Island, BC
SEARCH (Business Program): 2002
Artist Alliance - Vancouver, BC
Ruth Zaporah’s improvisational sound & movement: 2000-2002
Tracey Cameron - Nelson, BC
Kagami Butoh: 2001-2002
Doranne Crable - Nelson, BC
Naka-Ima: graduate and program assistant: 2001-2002
Jamie Campbell & Debora Riverbend - Nelson, BC
Fine Arts Diploma: 1996 - 1998
North Island College - Courtenay, BC
Drawing & 2-Dimensional Language I, Brian Scott
Drawing & 2-Dimensional Language II, David McLean
Drawing & 2-Dimensional Language III, David McLean
Drawing & 2-Dimensional Language IV, David McLean
Art History and Visual Culture I, David McLean
Art History and Visual Culture II, David McLean
Painting Applications I, Brian Scott
Painting Applications II, David McLean
Sculpture and Integrated Art Practices I, Alan Burgess
Sculpture and Integrated Art Practices II, Alan Burgess
Introduction to Art History and Visual Culture I, David McLean
Painting: Colour & Perception, Brian Scott
Painting: Methods & Concepts, Brian Scott
Introduction to Photography, Paul Bailey
Photography II, Paul Bailey
Foundation Studio in 3-D Materials and Design, Alan Burgess
Creative Processes, Susanne Sampson
Introduction to Printmaking, John Hooley
Foundation Studio in 3-D Objects and Space, Alan Burgess,
Introduction to Ceramics, Alan Burgess