Carolyn Kinder: ARTS Award Recipient for Lifetime Achievement

Already a recipient of the ARTS Award for Lifetime Achievement, Carolyn Kinder is not one to kick back. Just named a finalist in the Product Designer category, she reflects on how she got to where she is today.

Residential Lighting: Carolyn Kinder Designer

She may have been nicknamed “Petunia” (Nunnie for short) since birth, but Carolyn Kinder is no fragile flower. Although delicate in appearance as well as in her artistic sensibilities, she has an inner core of independence and adventure that has led her on an exciting journey all over the globe. Like many designers and artists, she is always ready to make a quick sketch of something that has caught her attention; however, she is also known for rolling up her sleeves and getting her hands dirty perfecting a distressed finish at factories in China, India, and Italy. Carolyn Kinder Residential Designer Soft-spoken and ethereal, Kinder is also a teacher. Appreciating the painting lessons and observation skills about light that she was taught at an early age, she passes along what she has learned to others – first, years ago while conducting painting classes for students and now to workers in the various factories that manufacture her products globally. Furthermore, just as she was encouraged to explore her artistic side while growing up, she nudges and guides the latent talents of people around her. Recalls Kinder’s sister, Coni Houghtling, “My parents always encouraged our forays into the arts, filling our home with collections of art and music plus the tools and media necessary for our own expression.  While my brothers and I seemed to have a penchant for the performing arts (music, acting, public speaking), Carolyn, from a very early age, demonstrated an astonishing talent for drawing and painting, distinguishing herself far above the rest of her three siblings in this area.” Carolyn Kinder A pivotal time for Kinder was when she visited her grandmother in San Antonio for one month as a child. “My grandmother had a friend who taught art classes,” she explains. Kinder would sit in on the classes, even though the other students were in their teens. “I was way under-age for that class,” she chuckles, adding, “But the teacher saw something in me that I wasn’t aware of and helped me grow it. Once she taught me to ‘see’ [the way an artist does], I never forgot it.” Life as a Globetrotter Kinder’s parents were in the military, which meant the family traveled to many countries and observed a variety of cultures. This   awareness influenced Kinder’s work through her openness to explore different techniques and media and allowed her to move beyond her comfort zone of painting and into other areas like developing picture frames, molding, vases, and statues. When living in Arkansas, Kinder got back into oil painting and started showing interested friends how to do it. Word spread and soon she started holding classes. She opened a custom framing shop called The Art Place in 1970 in Stuttgart, Arkansas. “I realized that once the students finished their paintings, they really needed some picture frames,” says Kinder, who then began sourcing picture frames. Naturally, ordinary frames weren’t going to cut it. Kinder became keenly interested in the art of picture framing. “When you frame a painting, you want it to look as good as it can be,” she explains. “You want to have it look strong, but not busy.”  She worked for a while in an Italian factory, where she spent countless hours rubbing silver leaf onto frames and creating a cross-scratch technique to bring texture. From there, she segued into moulding. “Decorative moulding can be so rich that you simply can’t ignore it. It just demands that you look at it,” she quips.  She also ventured to India, learning the ins and outs of brass craftsmanship. Becoming a Manufacturer In the mid-1970s, she co-founded the manufacturing company Kinder-Harris, with Virgil Harris, which originally specialized in artwork and decorative frames. “Soon we started doing lamps and accessories to go with the picture frames,” Kinder adds. “I hired one of my students, Kris Lindsey, to come work with me at Kinder-Harris. Kris stayed with us through the years and eventually became president.” Kinder-Harris has enjoyed an enviable reputation in the home furnishings industry as a high-end manufacturer of artwork, lighting, and decorative accessories and is highly sought after by interior designers. Kinder was thrilled when JC Penney bought the business in 1987. “They were looking for entrepreneurial companies that offered eclectic and wonderful things to add to their fold and Kinder-Harris was identified as a good fit,” she explains. Deciding to go the independent route, Kinder founded the design firm Carolyn Kinder Inc. in 1992 and began licensing her designs for major manufacturers such as IMAX, Uttermost, Austin, Sea Gull, Thomas Lighting, Stanley Mirror, Sears’ The Great Indoors, JC Penney, Magnusen Home, Casa Bique, Lazzaris, Crescent, Neilson Bainbridge, Larson Juhl, and of course Kinder-Harris. Over the years, her contributions to the industry have been lauded by groups such as ART and  WITHIT (where she was nominated for a WOW Award for Outstanding Woman in the home furnishings industry plus a nomination for WITHIT’s Legacy Award). Under the new corporate identity Carolyn Kinder International, she has expanded her focus to include sourcing, design development, multi-product licensing partnerships, and direct importing for the home furnishings industry. Kinder considers China her primary residence, although she also maintains a home in the States. “I am able to work with such wonderful people at these different companies,” she says enthusiastically. One of the aspects she appreciates most is the freedom she is given to explore new finishes and techniques. “Sometimes a finish I have created is so expensive that there has to be a trade-off elsewhere [in the product],” she admits. The manufacturers, however, are willing to compromise in  confidence that such uniqueness will elevate their brands. Kinder’s way of looking at the world around her and finding something artistic in all of it is a true gift. “I’ve even taken pictures of tar on the ground,” she states. “In my photos, maybe you’ll just see a shadow on the pavement, or perhaps it’s a photo of the edge of a car tire – but if you look close, you’ll see something in the tread.” Inspiration comes often. “It comes from anywhere, all the time,” Kinder comments. “I’m always wondering, ‘What would that look like if it were upside down or inside out?’ There are all kinds of ways to make things change form through nature – consider how metals can be turned into liquid!” Houghtling adds, “My favorite TV interview of my sister was for a local station.  Carolyn was creating a large oil painting while discussing art and answering questions.  She was illustrating the impact of texture by referring to the human eye’s ability to tell the difference between suede and satin from across the room. The interviewer asked, “How? How DO we tell the difference?” The answer, so simple, so profound, changed my life: The way they reflect the light. Carolyn has a way of taking an ocean of teaching and crystallizing it into a single statement that echoes forever in the halls of the mind.  This gift makes her a powerful teacher and mentor.” At the High Point Market, you can find Carolyn Kinder’s products in the Uttermost and IMAX showrooms.  In January during the International Lighting Market in Dallas, she will also be unveiling a new line with Quoizel. Fred Cohen: Looking Back to Move Forward

20 thoughts on “Carolyn Kinder: ARTS Award Recipient for Lifetime Achievement

    1. I once watched Nunnie Kinder paint in Ulm, AR…being the niece of Earl Kinder…I spent many moments…She painted the most awesome pic for my grandfather Lue Yarbrough’s fruit market in Pine Bluff, AR…at no charge. Nunnie, I thank you..and the home where you used to live in Ulm, still stands!

      1. Thank you for sharing a great memory of “Nunnie” with us! She is such a warm, generous, talented artist!

  1. I am the niece of carolyn Kinder. I can recall being at her house as a child and growing up around such a beautiful and interesting woman. Aunt Nunnies home always had the most unusual designs. She put antique furnishings with modern and always an unusual twist out of nowhere. I can still remember the unusual red kitchen sink in the home on Grand street in Stuttgart. This was in the late 60,s early 70’s. There were canvases everywhere in a studio attached to the house. I can still smell the scent of oil paints & turpintine. What wonderful memories. Aunt Nunnies daughter Suzie was 3 days older than me. My father Earl kinder gave me my first oil painting of Aunt Nunnies to proudly hang in my home. It was a pitcure of the resivour with deer on the farm were my father and uncle Lynn farmed. To this day i still collect and proudly hang her oil paintings. She is the most interesting woman i have ever known.

  2. I am the niece of carolyn Kinder. I can recall being at her house as a child and growing up around such a beautiful and interesting woman. Aunt Nunnies home always had the most unusual designs. She put antique furnishings with modern and always an unusual twist out of nowhere. I can still remember the unusual red kitchen sink in the home on Grand street in Stuttgart. This was in the late 60,s early 70’s. There were canvases everywhere in a studio attached to the house. I can still smell the scent of oil paints & turpintine. What wonderful memories. Aunt Nunnies daughter Suzie was 3 days older than me. My father Earl kinder gave me my first oil painting of Aunt Nunnies to proudly hang in my home. It was a scene on the farm were her husband uncle lynn and dad farmed. This was the beginning of my collection of her oil paintings. She is the most interesting women i have ever known.

  3. I recently purchased 2 new table lamps. As I was unwrapping them, I noticed that the tag was signed by the designer. I a read the name, Carolyn Kinder, I told my husband “this is Nunnie!” Of course he was very confused. I explained to him that I grew up with the Kinder Families in Stuttgart. I am so proud of the woman Nunnie is and all she has and will continue to accomplish in her life. I’m excited to have a piece of her with me in Alabama!

    1. I LOVE “Nunnie” (as her family knows her). She is the kindest, most generous, and good-hearted soul who is immensely talented in nearly every creative endeavor she takes on. You are so lucky to have her in your life. 🙂

  4. My family is curious to know why Carolyn Kinder branded one of her pieces the “Kendellen Accent Table.” My family would appreciate the background on this. Thank you.

    1. Hi Mike!
      I will relay your question to Carolyn, who is overseas for a bit. When I hear back from her, I’ll let you know.

    2. Hi Mike, I just heard back from Carolyn Kinder International. The collections are not named by Carolyn herself, but by the various licensees that she creates products for. Therefore, the company that manufactured the Kendellen accent table would have come up with the name. Most likely names are randomly selected by marketing departments or advertising firms contracted by the companies.

  5. I recently acquired a signed lithograph of Carolyn Kinder titled “Oak Tree”. I love this piece and would love to know more about it, particularly the year it was created, signed and offered. Also, the inspiration for this piece would be great to know! Love her artwork! Thanks for any info you can offer.

  6. Dear Ms. Longo,
    Can you please tell me if the Kinder-Harris Lamp with the number 70-05092 $389.00 on the bottom have any value at all?
    I can send you a photo if you tell me where to email it to.
    I was meaning to ask Antiques Roadshow …
    Thank you for any directions you could give me.

    1. Hi Connie!
      Unfortunately a Kinder-Harris lamp would not be a candidate for Antiques Roadshow as the brand name is still current (sold through Paragon) and the lamps produced do not meet requirements for the category of collectible antiques. If you are looking to sell the lamp, your best bet would be through eBay or through consignment at a local “antiques” store (that accepts items from the 1980s and up).

  7. I have two pieces of artwork named “Ladies Boots I” and “Ladies Boots II” with “The Kinder Collection” burnt in a circular fashion next to the title. The golden metallic pictures are of a left and right boot, and the boots say “Bloomingdales” on them. I believe they are some of Carolyn Kinder’s original pieces of work.

    Thanks
    Mason

  8. I have a signed original woodblock metallic ink of a Masi mask from The Kinder Collection. What would the value of it?

  9. I have 2 pieces of artwork by C kinder that I have researched and found nothing on. They are called “Rose Maid” and are stamped The Kinder Collection; am wondering what the medium was she used : looks stamped in and painted; resembles foil artwork which I love; what year was this done in? Was this one of her molded frames as well! Gold leaves and bark of a limb with touch of red.. did she use the “scratch” process I read about on the ladies’ arms, face, & hands?
    Thanks so much eager to hear back from you!

    1. Hi Belinda, thank you for reading the article on Carolyn Kinder. Unfortunately I do not know the process she used on those pieces of artwork you have. There are several manufacturers who might have sold them. Your best bet would be to contact her company. The website is: https://carolynkinder.com/

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