Donal was born in Zion National Park, Utah. His father, a Park Service Ranger, was transferred to Lake Mead Recreation where Donal went through High School in Boulder and Carson City, Nevada. Donal then relocated to Southern California after graduating from Brigham Young University. He worked as an illustrator for a large Aerospace Corporation in Redondo Beach for twelve years, leaving to paint full time in 1971. In the 1960"s Donal illustrated cartoons and articles for Rod & Custom Magazine and Car Craft Magazines.

Donal has exhibited in many prestigious art galleries and art shows throughout the western part of the United States and has had several articles in Southwest Art Magazine and Art of the West Magazine, just to name a few.

Currently, Donal's painting of the Zion National Park is part of the "PAINT AMERICA" touring exhibit. He has another painting to be shown in the 100th anniversary exhibit of the Zion (Mukuntuweep) exhibit in St. George, Utah in August. Donal had shown at the 2007 Watercolor West Annual Exhibit in Brea, California and will now be one of the demonstrating artists in this same event in August 2008.

Donal lives with his wife, Velma in Rimforest, California located in the San Bernardino Mountains. His studio was built on the second floor of their home. A separate gallery is set aside for paintings of mountain scenes, including Lake Arrowhead and the surrounding forest. Traveling to areas of the southwest, old banjos, classic cars and hot rods occupy much of his spare time.