Have You Heard?

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:

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Keep up with KaiKimba on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/Kaikimba

Beyond Art

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

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More to come with 'Beyond Art' by Kim McDonald

Big Mahalo to BEST Publishing!

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.

2013-2014 Upcountry Ad

New Photos from Surfboard Photo Shoot

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).

Kim McDonald holding painted surfboard, Kuau, Maui

Kim McDonald surfboard for Kai Lenny, Kuau, Maui

Checking in at Gallerie 505 in Lahaina!

  Looking for some new art?  Gallerie 505 is enjoying its great location at 505 Front Street, (look for them when you go out to dine at I'O, Pacific'O or Feast at Lele).  We just stopped in to say hello to our friends and see their new location (they just moved into a new storefront, ok, all the way back in December).  Kim's paintings, giclees and surfboards have some fantastic company!

Maui Open Studios a success!

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!

Moonlit Dreams - New Painting Unveiled

Moonlit Dreams | Original OIl Painting by Kim McDonald of Maui, Hawaii

Moonlit Dreams is the first release from the 'Beaux Reves' (beautiful dreams) series. Completed February 2, 2013

From Kim :

"In this piece i’m starting to break out of my traditional color palette mold and go for a lighter, more pastel influence. The bright full moon makes it almost look like daylight. I’ve included the iconic hut and canoes, and I just love the way the sky came out in this piece."

Moonlit Dreams is an original oil on Canvas, completed February 2, 2013, and still available as of February 5.  Available for viewing at the Kim McDonald Art Studio in Paia, Maui by appointment or walk-in as part of the Maui Open Studios event, February 9 and 10, 11am to 6pm.

Peacock Utopia- New Painting Unveiled

Peacock Utopia by Kim McDonald

Peacock Utopia is one of Kim's first paintings of 2013, and is part of the 'Beaux Reves' (beautiful dreams) series.

Here's Kim's description of this piece:

"This is a fun piece, its one of the first times I’ve included a peacock in a piece.  I was really influenced by the jewel tones and pattern of the peacock’s tail.   This peacock lives in a mystical world, a kind of enchanted, tropical oasis. It has this mysterious glow about it.  The color palette in this piece is more of a risky one for me, its more saturated."

Peacock Utopia is an original oil on Canvas, Completed February 2, 2013, and still available as of February 5.  Available for viewing at the Kim McDonald Art Studio in Paia, Maui by appointment or walk-in as part of the Maui Open Studios event, February 9 and 10, 11am to 6pm.