Donato
@donatoarts.bsky.social
Artist of science fiction and fantasy themed oil paintings and drawings - Robots, Astronauts, Narrative Art, and Middle-earth.
donatoarts.com
donatoarts.com
Predating my Earth and Sea series, but tapping into the tragic, fragile narratives learned from Vincent Desiderio while working as his assist. in the mid 90's.
Executed as a center panel of a triptych private commission for Jane and Howard Frank in 2001.
Eric Bright-eyes
34" x 34" Oil on Panel 2001
Executed as a center panel of a triptych private commission for Jane and Howard Frank in 2001.
Eric Bright-eyes
34" x 34" Oil on Panel 2001
February 15, 2026 at 11:04 AM
Predating my Earth and Sea series, but tapping into the tragic, fragile narratives learned from Vincent Desiderio while working as his assist. in the mid 90's.
Executed as a center panel of a triptych private commission for Jane and Howard Frank in 2001.
Eric Bright-eyes
34" x 34" Oil on Panel 2001
Executed as a center panel of a triptych private commission for Jane and Howard Frank in 2001.
Eric Bright-eyes
34" x 34" Oil on Panel 2001
Earth and Sea series.
A bit of self reflection as we are portrayed as the strangers here. My love and respect for science runs through all my work, from the fantastic to the historical.
Darwin: The Strangers With Craft
48" x 48" Oil on Pnel 2010
private collection
A bit of self reflection as we are portrayed as the strangers here. My love and respect for science runs through all my work, from the fantastic to the historical.
Darwin: The Strangers With Craft
48" x 48" Oil on Pnel 2010
private collection
February 14, 2026 at 10:18 AM
Earth and Sea series.
A bit of self reflection as we are portrayed as the strangers here. My love and respect for science runs through all my work, from the fantastic to the historical.
Darwin: The Strangers With Craft
48" x 48" Oil on Pnel 2010
private collection
A bit of self reflection as we are portrayed as the strangers here. My love and respect for science runs through all my work, from the fantastic to the historical.
Darwin: The Strangers With Craft
48" x 48" Oil on Pnel 2010
private collection
Earth and Sea series painting featuring my daughters Naomi and Cecilia.
Inspired by Sir Isaac Newton’s quote:
“To myself I am only a child playing on the beach, while vast oceans of truth lie undiscovered before me.”
Knowledge
36" x 48" Oil on Panel 2010
Inspired by Sir Isaac Newton’s quote:
“To myself I am only a child playing on the beach, while vast oceans of truth lie undiscovered before me.”
Knowledge
36" x 48" Oil on Panel 2010
February 13, 2026 at 10:44 AM
Earth and Sea series painting featuring my daughters Naomi and Cecilia.
Inspired by Sir Isaac Newton’s quote:
“To myself I am only a child playing on the beach, while vast oceans of truth lie undiscovered before me.”
Knowledge
36" x 48" Oil on Panel 2010
Inspired by Sir Isaac Newton’s quote:
“To myself I am only a child playing on the beach, while vast oceans of truth lie undiscovered before me.”
Knowledge
36" x 48" Oil on Panel 2010
Posted the entire Earth and Sea series of oil paintings on the MuddyColors blog, link:
www.muddycolors.com/2026/02/eart...
It is always a pleasure to tap into these deep creative motivators as an artist.
Mermaid-Search for Mother study
21”x21” oil on panel 2011
www.muddycolors.com/2026/02/eart...
It is always a pleasure to tap into these deep creative motivators as an artist.
Mermaid-Search for Mother study
21”x21” oil on panel 2011
February 12, 2026 at 12:07 PM
Posted the entire Earth and Sea series of oil paintings on the MuddyColors blog, link:
www.muddycolors.com/2026/02/eart...
It is always a pleasure to tap into these deep creative motivators as an artist.
Mermaid-Search for Mother study
21”x21” oil on panel 2011
www.muddycolors.com/2026/02/eart...
It is always a pleasure to tap into these deep creative motivators as an artist.
Mermaid-Search for Mother study
21”x21” oil on panel 2011
One of the first oil paintings from the Earth & Sea series, and likely one of the most popular.
Thank you to models Grant Newton and my daughter Naomi for making this a successful painting!
Progeny
36" x 60" Oil on Panel 2009
private collection
Thank you to models Grant Newton and my daughter Naomi for making this a successful painting!
Progeny
36" x 60" Oil on Panel 2009
private collection
February 10, 2026 at 9:11 AM
One of the first oil paintings from the Earth & Sea series, and likely one of the most popular.
Thank you to models Grant Newton and my daughter Naomi for making this a successful painting!
Progeny
36" x 60" Oil on Panel 2009
private collection
Thank you to models Grant Newton and my daughter Naomi for making this a successful painting!
Progeny
36" x 60" Oil on Panel 2009
private collection
An early oil painting from the Earth & Sea series, before I realized I was making a series!
Created for a gallery exhibit in 2009 and a take on tragic empathetic narrative moments.
Shaman's Loss
36" x 48" Oil on Panel 2009
Created for a gallery exhibit in 2009 and a take on tragic empathetic narrative moments.
Shaman's Loss
36" x 48" Oil on Panel 2009
February 9, 2026 at 5:30 AM
An early oil painting from the Earth & Sea series, before I realized I was making a series!
Created for a gallery exhibit in 2009 and a take on tragic empathetic narrative moments.
Shaman's Loss
36" x 48" Oil on Panel 2009
Created for a gallery exhibit in 2009 and a take on tragic empathetic narrative moments.
Shaman's Loss
36" x 48" Oil on Panel 2009
Exploring narratives which I do not want to experience but recognize that others have likely traveled through. I find I am a better person when I can empathetically related to others feelings and experiences.
Orphaned
48" x 36" Oil on Panel 2010
Orphaned
48" x 36" Oil on Panel 2010
January 31, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Exploring narratives which I do not want to experience but recognize that others have likely traveled through. I find I am a better person when I can empathetically related to others feelings and experiences.
Orphaned
48" x 36" Oil on Panel 2010
Orphaned
48" x 36" Oil on Panel 2010
Cover painting for a L.E. Modesitt, Jr novel 'Scholar' executed while I was engaged with my Earth & Sea series. Of course I would choose a moment from the narrative in which the protagonist is at a ship wreck on the shoreline!
Scholar- Robinson Crusoe
48" x 36" Oil on Panel 2011
Scholar- Robinson Crusoe
48" x 36" Oil on Panel 2011
January 30, 2026 at 2:54 AM
Cover painting for a L.E. Modesitt, Jr novel 'Scholar' executed while I was engaged with my Earth & Sea series. Of course I would choose a moment from the narrative in which the protagonist is at a ship wreck on the shoreline!
Scholar- Robinson Crusoe
48" x 36" Oil on Panel 2011
Scholar- Robinson Crusoe
48" x 36" Oil on Panel 2011
An oil painting from the Earth & Sea series, created for my first exhibit in 2011 at the Demato Gallery in Sag Harbor.
I used to assign this novel for my students at SVA to interpret, finding a way to read and visualize between the lines.
Santiago -The Old Man and the Sea
36" x 48" Oil on Panel 2010
I used to assign this novel for my students at SVA to interpret, finding a way to read and visualize between the lines.
Santiago -The Old Man and the Sea
36" x 48" Oil on Panel 2010
January 29, 2026 at 2:45 AM
An oil painting from the Earth & Sea series, created for my first exhibit in 2011 at the Demato Gallery in Sag Harbor.
I used to assign this novel for my students at SVA to interpret, finding a way to read and visualize between the lines.
Santiago -The Old Man and the Sea
36" x 48" Oil on Panel 2010
I used to assign this novel for my students at SVA to interpret, finding a way to read and visualize between the lines.
Santiago -The Old Man and the Sea
36" x 48" Oil on Panel 2010
Another from the Earth and Sea series featuring my daughter Cecilia as the young child.
Search for Mother
36" x 48" Oil on Panel 2012
Search for Mother
36" x 48" Oil on Panel 2012
January 28, 2026 at 3:26 AM
Another from the Earth and Sea series featuring my daughter Cecilia as the young child.
Search for Mother
36" x 48" Oil on Panel 2012
Search for Mother
36" x 48" Oil on Panel 2012
One from my Earth & Sea series, focusing upon the shorelines and fascination of the sea I experienced in my youth.
Voyager:The Offering
36”x48” oil on panel 2011
Voyager:The Offering
36”x48” oil on panel 2011
January 27, 2026 at 12:56 AM
One from my Earth & Sea series, focusing upon the shorelines and fascination of the sea I experienced in my youth.
Voyager:The Offering
36”x48” oil on panel 2011
Voyager:The Offering
36”x48” oil on panel 2011
The Phial of Galadriel
11" x 14" Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper
Working on a commission of Sam and Frodo last month and tackled this moment in their confrontation with Shelob, Rotated the view point into Shelob's space, seeing what it feels like to have nasty hobbits' burn your eyes 🙂
11" x 14" Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper
Working on a commission of Sam and Frodo last month and tackled this moment in their confrontation with Shelob, Rotated the view point into Shelob's space, seeing what it feels like to have nasty hobbits' burn your eyes 🙂
January 16, 2026 at 5:27 PM
The Phial of Galadriel
11" x 14" Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper
Working on a commission of Sam and Frodo last month and tackled this moment in their confrontation with Shelob, Rotated the view point into Shelob's space, seeing what it feels like to have nasty hobbits' burn your eyes 🙂
11" x 14" Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper
Working on a commission of Sam and Frodo last month and tackled this moment in their confrontation with Shelob, Rotated the view point into Shelob's space, seeing what it feels like to have nasty hobbits' burn your eyes 🙂
New superhero painting!
Streets of New York - Mark VI Prototype
20" x 16" Oil on panel 2026
Proxy bidding is now live available from the OAX Convention Auction (final auction Sat Feb 21st)
www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece...
This piece is a wonderful representation of who, and why, I am an artist!
Streets of New York - Mark VI Prototype
20" x 16" Oil on panel 2026
Proxy bidding is now live available from the OAX Convention Auction (final auction Sat Feb 21st)
www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece...
This piece is a wonderful representation of who, and why, I am an artist!
January 16, 2026 at 1:27 AM
New superhero painting!
Streets of New York - Mark VI Prototype
20" x 16" Oil on panel 2026
Proxy bidding is now live available from the OAX Convention Auction (final auction Sat Feb 21st)
www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece...
This piece is a wonderful representation of who, and why, I am an artist!
Streets of New York - Mark VI Prototype
20" x 16" Oil on panel 2026
Proxy bidding is now live available from the OAX Convention Auction (final auction Sat Feb 21st)
www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece...
This piece is a wonderful representation of who, and why, I am an artist!
Coming from Peter Orullian & Shawn Speakman (editor/publisher at Grim Oak Press) a great anthology supporting a worthy cause. An incredible lineup of authors!
Link to Kickstarter Pre-launch:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/unb...
Link to Kickstarter Pre-launch:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/unb...
January 12, 2026 at 4:13 AM
Coming from Peter Orullian & Shawn Speakman (editor/publisher at Grim Oak Press) a great anthology supporting a worthy cause. An incredible lineup of authors!
Link to Kickstarter Pre-launch:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/unb...
Link to Kickstarter Pre-launch:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/unb...
This painting was off to a new home. Will miss it dearly, as it hung in our home since first created back in 2017. A great example of an intimate, 'domestic' moment.
Rivendell - The Riders
21" x 27" Oil on Panel 2017
"The Riders made straight for you, as soon as you fled." - Gandalf
Rivendell - The Riders
21" x 27" Oil on Panel 2017
"The Riders made straight for you, as soon as you fled." - Gandalf
January 12, 2026 at 3:43 AM
This painting was off to a new home. Will miss it dearly, as it hung in our home since first created back in 2017. A great example of an intimate, 'domestic' moment.
Rivendell - The Riders
21" x 27" Oil on Panel 2017
"The Riders made straight for you, as soon as you fled." - Gandalf
Rivendell - The Riders
21" x 27" Oil on Panel 2017
"The Riders made straight for you, as soon as you fled." - Gandalf
The Mindflayer!
Illustration for the 'Stranger Things Dungeons & Dragons: Tales from the Table' book project created in conjunction for the 5th season.
This is one of 4 images commissioned as Monster Cards to emulate the D&D cards from the 1980's.
14" x 18"
Oil on Bristol Board
2024
Illustration for the 'Stranger Things Dungeons & Dragons: Tales from the Table' book project created in conjunction for the 5th season.
This is one of 4 images commissioned as Monster Cards to emulate the D&D cards from the 1980's.
14" x 18"
Oil on Bristol Board
2024
January 10, 2026 at 10:48 PM
The Mindflayer!
Illustration for the 'Stranger Things Dungeons & Dragons: Tales from the Table' book project created in conjunction for the 5th season.
This is one of 4 images commissioned as Monster Cards to emulate the D&D cards from the 1980's.
14" x 18"
Oil on Bristol Board
2024
Illustration for the 'Stranger Things Dungeons & Dragons: Tales from the Table' book project created in conjunction for the 5th season.
This is one of 4 images commissioned as Monster Cards to emulate the D&D cards from the 1980's.
14" x 18"
Oil on Bristol Board
2024
'O Christmas Tree, oh Christmas Tree
How lovely were your branches
You're brittle dry lying here
You brought us all joy and cheer
O Christmas Tree, oh Christmas Tree
How lovely were your branches'
How lovely were your branches
You're brittle dry lying here
You brought us all joy and cheer
O Christmas Tree, oh Christmas Tree
How lovely were your branches'
January 5, 2026 at 4:18 PM
'O Christmas Tree, oh Christmas Tree
How lovely were your branches
You're brittle dry lying here
You brought us all joy and cheer
O Christmas Tree, oh Christmas Tree
How lovely were your branches'
How lovely were your branches
You're brittle dry lying here
You brought us all joy and cheer
O Christmas Tree, oh Christmas Tree
How lovely were your branches'
The Demogorgon!
Illustration for 'Stranger Things Dungeons & Dragons: Tales from the Table' book project created in conjunction for the 5th & final season of the show.
One of four images commissioned as Monster Cards to emulate the D&D cards from the 1980's.
13" x 17"
Oil on Bristol Board
2024
Illustration for 'Stranger Things Dungeons & Dragons: Tales from the Table' book project created in conjunction for the 5th & final season of the show.
One of four images commissioned as Monster Cards to emulate the D&D cards from the 1980's.
13" x 17"
Oil on Bristol Board
2024
January 2, 2026 at 4:09 AM
The Demogorgon!
Illustration for 'Stranger Things Dungeons & Dragons: Tales from the Table' book project created in conjunction for the 5th & final season of the show.
One of four images commissioned as Monster Cards to emulate the D&D cards from the 1980's.
13" x 17"
Oil on Bristol Board
2024
Illustration for 'Stranger Things Dungeons & Dragons: Tales from the Table' book project created in conjunction for the 5th & final season of the show.
One of four images commissioned as Monster Cards to emulate the D&D cards from the 1980's.
13" x 17"
Oil on Bristol Board
2024
Brooklyn has some talented snowy artists lurking about.
Father Winter making his appearance on Atlantic Ave, btwn Bond and Nevins Sts, around the corner from us.
Say hello tonight for tomorrow we hit temps back into the high 40’s!
Father Winter making his appearance on Atlantic Ave, btwn Bond and Nevins Sts, around the corner from us.
Say hello tonight for tomorrow we hit temps back into the high 40’s!
December 28, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Brooklyn has some talented snowy artists lurking about.
Father Winter making his appearance on Atlantic Ave, btwn Bond and Nevins Sts, around the corner from us.
Say hello tonight for tomorrow we hit temps back into the high 40’s!
Father Winter making his appearance on Atlantic Ave, btwn Bond and Nevins Sts, around the corner from us.
Say hello tonight for tomorrow we hit temps back into the high 40’s!
Getting ready for Sauron to extend his long reach against New York City with the coming snow storm tonight.
May have to travel in the Metro Mines of Moria to get around...😆
Descent from Caradhras
73" x 114" Oil on Linen 2014
May have to travel in the Metro Mines of Moria to get around...😆
Descent from Caradhras
73" x 114" Oil on Linen 2014
December 26, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Getting ready for Sauron to extend his long reach against New York City with the coming snow storm tonight.
May have to travel in the Metro Mines of Moria to get around...😆
Descent from Caradhras
73" x 114" Oil on Linen 2014
May have to travel in the Metro Mines of Moria to get around...😆
Descent from Caradhras
73" x 114" Oil on Linen 2014
Created a new horizontal composition of this image of Gandalf on the Bridge of Khazad-dûm to use for gaming playmats (newly available and they look great!)
Love how the Balrog is now suggested with a swirl of the whip!
You Cannot Pass!
Original oil painting 30" x 24", 2007
Love how the Balrog is now suggested with a swirl of the whip!
You Cannot Pass!
Original oil painting 30" x 24", 2007
December 24, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Created a new horizontal composition of this image of Gandalf on the Bridge of Khazad-dûm to use for gaming playmats (newly available and they look great!)
Love how the Balrog is now suggested with a swirl of the whip!
You Cannot Pass!
Original oil painting 30" x 24", 2007
Love how the Balrog is now suggested with a swirl of the whip!
You Cannot Pass!
Original oil painting 30" x 24", 2007
Attack on Weathertop.
Frodo attempts, and fails, to resist the Ring as the Nazgul close in. I love finding atypical moments like this to illustrate!
Will of the Ring
14" x 11" Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper
Frodo attempts, and fails, to resist the Ring as the Nazgul close in. I love finding atypical moments like this to illustrate!
Will of the Ring
14" x 11" Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper
December 19, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Attack on Weathertop.
Frodo attempts, and fails, to resist the Ring as the Nazgul close in. I love finding atypical moments like this to illustrate!
Will of the Ring
14" x 11" Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper
Frodo attempts, and fails, to resist the Ring as the Nazgul close in. I love finding atypical moments like this to illustrate!
Will of the Ring
14" x 11" Watercolor Pencil and Chalk on Toned Paper
Another Interior Illustration for the forthcoming limited edition of Tad William's 'Otherland' from Grim Oak Press. A total of six full page plates for this edition.
Trenches
18" x 14" Oil & Acrylic on Bristol Board
Pre-ordering for the books:
grimoakpress.com/collections/...
Trenches
18" x 14" Oil & Acrylic on Bristol Board
Pre-ordering for the books:
grimoakpress.com/collections/...
December 18, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Another Interior Illustration for the forthcoming limited edition of Tad William's 'Otherland' from Grim Oak Press. A total of six full page plates for this edition.
Trenches
18" x 14" Oil & Acrylic on Bristol Board
Pre-ordering for the books:
grimoakpress.com/collections/...
Trenches
18" x 14" Oil & Acrylic on Bristol Board
Pre-ordering for the books:
grimoakpress.com/collections/...
Another relaxing & fun life drawing session this past Wednesday at the Society of Illustrators, NYC. The model Mitch was one of the regulars, but he still is amazing to draw from. The foreshortened leaning back pose kept me focused and paying attention - 'draw what you see, not what you think'!
December 15, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Another relaxing & fun life drawing session this past Wednesday at the Society of Illustrators, NYC. The model Mitch was one of the regulars, but he still is amazing to draw from. The foreshortened leaning back pose kept me focused and paying attention - 'draw what you see, not what you think'!
Trying to carve out the time for another Moria painting. Meanwhile I hear noises at the back gate...
Walls of Moria
48" x 48" Oil on Panel 2022
Collection of the Artist
Walls of Moria
48" x 48" Oil on Panel 2022
Collection of the Artist
December 13, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Trying to carve out the time for another Moria painting. Meanwhile I hear noises at the back gate...
Walls of Moria
48" x 48" Oil on Panel 2022
Collection of the Artist
Walls of Moria
48" x 48" Oil on Panel 2022
Collection of the Artist