Chief Little Owl 

A whimsical celebration of the Nanticoke Indian Tribe of Delaware.

Chief Little Owl is a vibrant new painting by artist John Donato, reimagining the iconic Nanticoke figure as a joyful surfer riding the coastal energy of Sussex County. Blending humor, heritage, and Donato’s signature colorwork, this piece honors the tribe’s deep connection to the land, water, and natural resources of the region. Subtle references to Nanticoke agricultural and harvesting traditions ripple through the design, offering both playful charm and cultural respect.

Visitors eager to explore this heritage further are encouraged to visit the 

Nanticoke Indian Museum in Millsboro, a remarkable place filled with stories, history, and artifacts that inspired this artwork. 

$6,500

Acrylic on Canvas

30" x 36"

Lewes Summer Reading

Lewes Summer Reading — Limited Edition Giclée Reproduction!

Holiday orders are now open for Lewes Summer Reading, a brand-new archival-quality giclée reproduction of the 24-foot community mural that hangs in the Teen Reading Room at the Lewes Public Library.

This vibrant  48” wide × 17” tall canvas features 44 classic books, brought to life with whimsical characters and Lewes landmarks—all drawn directly from the original mural created with the community.

Details:

• Archival giclée on canvas

• 48” × 17”

• 1.5-inch gallery-wrapped frame

• $750

• Limited supply for the holidays

• Now taking orders

A joyful piece for book lovers, Lewes locals, and anyone who carries stories close to the heart. 

Original Acrylic on Canvas — 18" x 24"

$6,500
by John Donato

Whimsical, symbolic, and quietly revealing, “The Protégé” portrays a monocled, beret-topped painter-cat seated inside his human’s mug as his student — a small mouse — climbs a ladder to paint a bold, Picasso-style portrait of him on its surface. The cat’s conflicted gaze captures a familiar inner tension: pride versus admiration, ego versus humility, mentor versus mirror.

The monocle becomes the biased lens through which he views both himself and his pupil, while the bare eye reflects truth he resists. Is he unsettled by the distorted likeness, by the fact that a mouse holds the brush, or by the realization that his protégé has become a master in his own right?

With vivid color, expressive strokes, and symbolic objects throughout, Donato highlights the emotional complexity of mentorship, identity, and the challenge of celebrating another’s excellence.

A one-of-a-kind narrative painting, “The Protégé” invites collectors to reflect on their own lens — and enjoy a work that entertains with whimsy yet lingers with meaning.