About Me
I was born Robert Reinhold Kumlin in Chicago in 1938. I sign my work R. Reinhold Kumlien. This to honor my father by sharing his middle name, and adopting the original Swedish spelling of our last name – changed for my father at Ellis Island when he immigrated. My father, an immigrant to the U.S.A. at age 20, said he was a direct descendant of Eric the Red, but he said a lot of things and almost every Swede I ever met has made the same claim. My mother was born in the USA and was raised by her grandmother – she spoke only Ladino (a Castillian spanish) until she registered for school. Her family comes from Moldavia, a backwater part of what is now Romania where the daily wage today is now equivalent to $5.50 US. My maternal grandmother was a Sephardic Jew, descended from those souls kicked out of Spain by Ferdinand and Isabella in the 15th century.
I now live in Cherry Hill, NJ, USA, have two children by an abundantly loved and now deceased wife, and two grandchildren.
I have for the entirety of my life been involved in the creative arts. I hold a B.A. in architectural design from the University of Illinois, have been a registered architect for 50 something years and, while pursuing my profession in the U.S.A., Europe, and the middle east, have continued to produce painting and sculpture. I have written many articles and a book on Architectural Programming, ran seminars, given lectures, presented papers, and secured patents for various inventions. I closed my partnership practice of twenty years in New Jersey in 2008 and now practice alone. In addition to my creative work, I have many interests. I read widely and a lot.
Why should you care?
If you’ve gone this far, I thank you for your continuing interest……….
My life informs my thoughts and work. I have a personal belief in the power of an idea. It is giving this idea a creative image that is the key to expanding our experience of the universe and the human condition. You may find something in my work or thoughts that expands your world. I hope so.
Thanks for your attention – I invite your comments, criticism, and contributions in my BLOG.
reinhold kumlien