Meet the Mom – Christy Kinard

Name: 

Christy Kinard

Where did you grow up:  

I’m originally from Atlanta, GA, and spent a lot of my childhood in Hilton Head Island, SC

Town you live in now: 

I currently split my time between Charleston, SC, and Palm Beach. 

Why do you love living there:   

The southern hospitality, the food, the people, the historical buildings, and beautiful beaches. Its location in the center of the East Coast is great for work and vacations.

Tell me about your kids:   

We have three children who are also artistically inclined. William, age 14, is definitely a creative thinker and loves playing soccer, while his twin brothers, Charles and James, age 13, are in the gifted and talented program for art.

Favorite things to do with the kids/family:   

I love traveling up and down the East Coast, whether it’s participating in an eating lobster contest with my boys in Bar Harbor, visiting The Breakers on a warm winter’s day, or watching the amazement on the kids’ faces when they’re snorkeling in beautiful water around the Palm Beaches. You get to see so much variety in all the little coastal towns.

Favorite thing about Palm Beach:  

Where do I even begin? There’s an abundance to adore about Palm Beach. It’s a wonderful family destination, offering festivities like Easter at The Colony, cultural enrichment at the Norton Museum, and the mesmerizing sculpture garden featuring Keith Haring’s iconic yellow masterpiece, “Julia.” The lush gardens at The Society of the Four Arts and the refined High Teas at the Flagler Museum are equally captivating. Whether it’s enjoying breakfast with the boys at Greens Pharmacy or relishing sunsets from the watchtower, every moment is cherished. The enchanting entryway flowers at The Breakers and indulging in ice cream at Mary Lily’s courtyard evoke pure delight. The landscape exudes a fairytale charm, reminiscent of England and my British husband’s ancestral home. Worth Avenue beckons with its fashionable allure, while Ocean Boulevard’s extraordinary architecture and West Palm’s art deco homes are a visual feast.

What’s your day job’?  

Being a professional artist.

How did you get started with it?  

From my earliest memories, creativity has been a constant in my life. Whether molding Play-Doh sculptures at the kitchen table as a child or wielding a paintbrush, art was always my passion. In high school, I gravitated towards the art room, and in my senior year, I was honored with a Governor’s Honor Scholarship to SCAD. Throughout college, I diligently pursued opportunities to showcase my work in galleries across the Southeast. At 18, facing initial rejection from a gallery, I persevered and created new pieces overnight. To my surprise, they were accepted the following day, and subsequently purchased by an art director from IBM. This experience underscored the importance of hard work in achieving success in the art world.

What is your best parenting advice?  Lay it on us.  

Let your kids make their own mistakes and learn from them. Travel to new places; the best learning comes from having new experiences. 

What do you do for self-care? 

Looking at the ocean every morning clears my mind. Taking morning walks on the beach, breathing in the fresh salty air, and taking in the sunrise of a new day.

Karaoke – what are you singing?

“My Way” by Frank Sinatra

Anything else you want to share?

My artwork has been significantly influenced by the distinct style of Palm Beach during my visits over the years. The vibrant colors, including light coral, turquoise, hot pinks, and kelly greens, serve as a reference point. The flowers at The Breakers particularly inspire me. This influence is evident in my work, as I incorporate elements of Palm Beach’s aesthetic into my artistic expression. I will be the featured artist for the Home Design & Remodeling Show at the Palm Beach County Convention Center on May 24-27. I’d love to meet you there.