Saturday I took a beautiful drive to Hana to one of my favorite representing galleries, Hana Coast Gallery. My mission was deliver all new art to freshen up the spring collection! Always a joy to see gallery Director Alesiamae (photographed below) Next time you're in Hana, be sure to stop by the Hana Coast Gallery to check out all the amazing local artists.
I had the honor of painting a couple surfboards for professional waterman Kai Lenny. Photographed below is Kai with his gun board with his custom red shark I designed, this board he rode while surfing JAWS at Peahi, one of the biggest breaks in the world.
Some of you may remember a few years ago when I brought my tribal surfboard art onto towels and other beach lifestyle products, starting the launch of KAIKIMBA. One of the most exciting parts of that whole new venture was the photoshoot. Seeing artists work with one another and collaborate with each other is exhilarating, and leaves you with beautiful visuals. Now I take you back to Paia Bay via 2013 with the stunningly talented Maui girl- Callie Mahoney and the absolutely brilliant photographer Peter Augustin! Enjoy!
There are several ways to display a surfboard when hanging as art. I have tried several hanging techniques and props and as of the last few years my favorite stand has been these lightweight, simple and sleek V- Stands from SurfWorks USA . The owner Frank is a super nice and helpful. The prices are good and the stands are quality! SurfWorks has a variety of board stands but pictured below are the surfboard V-Stands. Check them out!
Aloha everyone! I am back in one of my favorite places in the world and my second home; Aspen, Colorado. This time I brought some boards with me, surfboards that is. I am beyond thrilled to be showing my new Oceanic Series Surfboards at my favorite ski shop, Performance Ski, for the month of March!
All of the surfboards are shaped and glassed by world-class shaper David Gott in Maui, Hawaii. I hand-paint each surfboard making it an original piece of art where no two are alike. These one-of-a-kind surfboards are surely a cool, fun, and sleek addition to any room.
If you are in Aspen during March, stop by Performance Ski! I look forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones.
A hui hou!
Just returned back to Maui and I've cleaned my palette, ready to embark on a new series with new inspiration. Stay tuned...
Have you heard? Kim has just recently launched a product line called KaiKimba! 'Kai' is the Hawaiian word for 'ocean' and 'Kimba' is Kim's nickname. The two together seemed only perfect for this beach lifestyle brand- 'Bring the ocean into your life'. The tribal patterns were inspired by Kim's Warrior Boards- hand painted surfboards.
KaiKimba is a lifestyle line from beach accessories, to clothing, to tech packages,. KaiKimba is just taking flight and what an exciting, and extremely busy, new venture this has been. Creating a new business while still maintaining her fine art business is not an easy job! Being a full time artist is not as laid back like most people think it is. It involves consistent creativity and inspiration, hardwork, dedication, and a strong will power. Kim manages to keep it all running with the help of a great team and her clear vision.
One of the most exciting moments with the creation of KaiKimba was the photo-shoot. What was going to be a small personal photo-shoot between Kim and her assistant, turned into a full on professional shoot. We had the honors of working with world renown photographer Peter Augustine and international model Callie Mahoney, it was like watching magic happen in front of your eyes! Here are some teasers:
Keep up with KaiKimba on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/Kaikimba
Some of the questions I get asked repeatedly pertaining my art career are: "How did you become a successful artist?""What are you doing in order to live off you art?" Here is one of my most useful tools that help me with art career: Marketing.
The most successful and best marketing tool I have is the shopping and dining guide by BEST Publishing on Maui and Kauai. The exposure I have experienced from being in these magazines for the last 12 years is incredible. BEST exposing my work to millions has been career changing and I contribute a lot of my success and ability to live off my artwork, to my ads!
I sincerely believe that without my making exposure in the magazine I would have not been able to sail through the recession, with my top selling years which have been the last 3 years like I did.
A big mahalo Mikel and Deb.
~Kim
More to come with 'Beyond Art' by Kim McDonald
Thank you BEST Publishing for all the years of incredible years of support, reliable advertising, and getting me through these past 4 years. An extra shout out Debra Morrill and Mikel Mesh, mahalo nui loa!
Here is the newest ad for the upcoming Upcountry magazine.
Check out these great photos that we just got back from photographer Dana Edmunds. Great work Dana, Kim and the board makers! Photographed in Kuau, Maui, at the beach fronting Mama's Fish House. Below Kim is featured with two boards:
Top photo: Eel's Legend, shaped by Kazuma Surfboards. This one-of-a-kind surfboard is featured as one of Kim's Warrior Boards, and is available for purchase here on this website.
The second board is designed by Sean Ordonez for Kai Lenny to use at Peahi (Jaws).
Mahalo to everyone who attended this year's Maui Open Studios event at the Kim McDonald Studio! Well over 100 people attended over the two day event, which will take place for the rest of the weekends in February at various locations over the island! We got to meet lots of other artists, visitors, as well as residents!
Congratulations to all of our new collectors as well!
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Things are moving and shaking on Kauai, so I just wanted to keep you all posted on where you can find my art!
After 10 great years, Jim and Elizabeth Cupid have decided to close down the Kim McDonald Art Gallery in Hanalei, but I am pleased to tell you that you will now be able to view and purchase my art, including my latest series, at the Red Koi Collection located in the Shops of Kuku'ula in Koloa!
I am very excited to be heading over to Kauai next week to install 14 new works at the newly renovated Beach House Restaurant, so I hope you will be able to dine and enjoy the new pieces soon!
If you are on Maui, please call us to set up a private studio visit in Paia!
I have an abundance of artwork for viewing, including originals of my latest series, giclee prints from the classic images, as well as unique prints that are only available in the studio ranging in multiple sizes.
If you aren't lucky enough to be on Kauai or Maui, all available artwork can be purchased via phone or this website.
*** "Secret Hideout", Original Oil on Canvas, Available for $8,400
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Today is the first day of an online charity auction for the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights, and one of Kim's Warrior Boards, Octopusy, is one of the featured items!
Kim, and almost 100 other artists, actors, sports stars and other celebrities have donated one of a kind offerings to the 2012 RFK Center Spring Auction. Playing chess with Kim's neighbor on Maui, Woody Harrelson, is another of the unique items available in the auction.
Octopusy is hand painted by Kim onto a longboard made by famous Maui board designer Kazuma Boards. This board would be the focal point of any room, or wave!
Click here to bid on Octopusy!
In addition to Kim's board, her boyfriend Buzzy Kerbox has donated a surf lesson, the perfect accompaniment to your new surfboard!
Click here to bid on a surf lesson with big-wave surfer Buzzy Kerbox!
This is a great opportunity to purchase a unique item or have a once-in-a-lifetime experience, all for a great cause.
The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights is a human rightsadvocacy organization, a nonprofit charitable organization that works to realize Robert Kennedy's dream of a peaceful and just world by advancing human rights. It works to support recipients of the RFK Human Rights Award, supports investigative journalists and authors through the RFK Book and Journalism Awards, and educates the public and empowers students to create change in the classroom.
Since launching in 2005,Charity Buzz has raised over $60 million for more than 1000 non-profit organizations, through technology, pop culture, and a commitment to innovation.
One of my major accomplishments of my recent trip to Aspen was meeting with my friend and long-time marketing guru Katie Viola of Kissane Viola Designs. (See? I told you it wasn't all about skiing...) Katie and I are working on my new product line, which will include bags, towels and travel mugs based on designs from my Warrior Boards. We are currently picking our production company, and I can't wait to see the first few items. Katie and I have been working together for the past 8 years, and she has really helped me to create my own brand identity. She is responsible for my beautiful new website, and all my ads and marketing collateral.
Mahalo to Katie for all of your amazing work over all these years! Looking forward to seeing our new creations!
So happy to be back on Maui! It's always nice to go on vacation (and go skiing! and shopping!) but Maui is always great to come home to. While taking a walk on the beach right behind my house, and ran into my friend and fellow artist, Avi Kiriaty. We had a lot to discuss as we are both currently selling our art primarily out of our own home studios. These sure are interesting times to be a professional artist!
It was great catching up with Avi. We are both blessed to live on Maui and be surrounded by such inspiration and beauty.
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We had a great turnout and lots of fun, sprinkled with celebrities such as Darryl Hannah and Remy, of The Foo Fighters, joining in the class and festivities!
So excited ...getting ready to teach my Smashblall Paddle Painting Class incorporating Maldivian designs here on the island of La'amu!
