Ken is truly a multi-hyphenate creator. His love of painting, the written word, music and visualizing his ideas, wherever they may find him, has always been present – so it was no surprise at all to see his visual art practice emerge with gusto, taking center stage. I have been obsessed with Ken’s sketchbooks and journals since those early days, and am now a proud owner of one of Ken’s earlier oil pastel works on paper, MASSIVE, 2023.

I first met Ken in NYC in 1989 through his business partner Leslie Smolan, and co-founder of the acclaimed design agency Carbone Smolan Agency they had co-founded over 40 years ago. Leslie had graciously invited me to work as her intern on a book project at Carbone Smolan. It was Leslie and Ken, two inter-disciplinary designers with boundless talent that first introduced me to design thinking through a multi-disciplinary lens, and the impact that strategic design could play in all facets of life and in our world. To this day I am grateful for this pivotal and eye-opening experience very early in my career – we have remained dear friends ever since. 💛

Learn more about Ken Carbone’s work here: www.kennethcarbonestudios.com

Link to his most recent Exhibition Catalogue:
KCS The Shape of Things Exhibition at ADA Gallery, Washington, D.C. May 2025