Meet the artist
About Kim
For more than three decades, Kim McDonald has devoted her life to capturing the soul of Maui and the islands she loves. Her paintings are born not from photographs, but from a lifetime spent immersed in the ocean, the jungles, the changing light, and the quiet moments that make Hawaiʻi unforgettable.
Collectors connect with her work because it feels lived rather than observed. Kim doesn’t simply paint what Maui looks like—she paints what it feels like to stand beneath a silver moon, watch the trade winds move through the trees, or experience the colors of the Pacific at day’s end.
With bold color, expressive brushwork, and a deep love for the islands, every painting is an invitation to bring home not just a place, but a feeling
Kim is simply the best. We have had her work up in our home for over 20 years. Every day, it brings a smile and a special Hawaiian memory.
— Thomas Burke
Kim is an exceptional artist with her vibrant colors, bringing to life the essence of French Polynesia.
I have many of her paintings and will be adding more.
— Angie Troxel
“Thanks Kim, for capturing long-lasting memories of beautiful Maui.”
— Ernie & Marisa
Parkinsons
My Journey with Parkinsons
Aloha, dear friends and art collectors, Many of you know that last year I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Hearing those words was one of the hardest moments of my life. My father had Parkinson’s, so I knew firsthand how difficult this disease can be. When I was diagnosed, I couldn’t help but wonder what my future might look like.
Over the past year, though, something unexpected has happened.
I’ve found steady ground again. I’ve created a home that brings me peace. I’ve found an incredible medical team, and every day I’m doing everything I can to stay healthy, strong, and moving forward.
This journey has also taught me a lot about people. There have been some disappointments, and not everyone I thought would be there has been. But the people who have shown up have wrapped me in love, kindness, and support. They know who they are, and I will always be grateful.
One thing I never expected was the clarity that comes with living with a chronic disease.
When you’re reminded that life isn’t guaranteed, you start seeing everything differently. The little things don’t seem so important anymore, and the things that truly matter become crystal clear.
For me, that’s the people I love, my home, my beloved dog Jesse James, and my art.
If anything, Parkinson’s has made me appreciate painting even more.
Heart to Heart Fund
For the Love of Dog
If you’ve followed my artwork over the years, you probably know one thing about me…
I love dogs.
They’ve been one of the greatest blessings in my life. They’ve been my companions, my comfort, my constant source of unconditional love, and, in many ways, my greatest support. I honestly can’t imagine my life without them.
I’ve loved every dog I’ve been fortunate enough to share my life with, and each one has left a lasting imprint on my heart. Today, that special place belongs to my Mini Australian Shepherd, Jesse James.
When Jesse James was just five months old, he was diagnosed with a serious congenital heart condition. I was devastated. The surgery he needed was far beyond what I could afford, and I truly didn’t know what I was going to do.
A Team that changed everything
The cardiology team at Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, led by Dr. Brian Scansen, gave Jesse James the lifesaving surgery he needed.
KIM McDONALD’S SOUTH PACIFIC
Celebrating the sea
Kim celebrates the sea in her artwork, and defends it in the many environmental organizations she actively participates in. She has donated some of her finest work to help these groups raise funds through silent (and not-so-silent) auctions and other art-related activities.
Some of her current beneficiaries are The Waterkeeper Alliance, Surf Riders, and (pictured here) the first Annual “Water/Wo/Men” Event In Support of Global Water Conservation at Six Senses Laamu. At their gathering in the Maldives, Kim created an art surfboard which was signed onsite by the well-known attendees and then auctioned off, fetching a handsome donation for Water/Wo/Men's mission. The art of giving, personified!