He maintained a studio at the family estate in Osterndorf. In winter, he painted from a portable, heated studio. Thanks to his family's wealth, he could afford to travel often; not only throughout Europe, but to Asia and Africa as well. In 1902, when the poet, Rainer Maria Rilke, wrote a book about the Worpswede Colony, Vinnen declined to be included. That same year, he became engaged, to Anna Lagemann, but the wedding did not take place until many years later.Congratulatory letter from Rainer Maria Rilke to Carl Vinnen of 6 September 1902 In 1903, he was awarded a small gold medal at the Große Berliner Kunstausstellung. Shortly after, he became a member of the Deutscher Künstlerbund.
