Biographical

His Work Onstage, Off, and in the Artists Studio

Originally from N.E. Pennsylvania, Kuranda spent his young adult life in NYC, then CT. He now resides with his family outside of Chicago.  In 2017 he became more immersed in Portraiture when asked to do a small painting for a friend.    

Over the past couple of years, he has discovered a deep passion for this form of painting human beings.

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He supports his alma maters, The New School, West Virginia University, The Actors Studio, and Signature Theater in NYC.  Richard's Theatrical work was based in NYC for over 20 years. In 2005, he was credited by the New York Times as having steered the Eugene O'Neill Memorial Theater Center around as the Interim Artistic Director of the entire Center and then a Producing Director for the NPC, NMTC  & relaunched the Cabaret Conference.  It's noteworthy that the works developed at the O'Neill have graced every major stage around the globe. Highlights from Richard's time include In The Heights, {title of show}, Madagascar, and 35+ more.  While at the O'Neill, a dear friend Sara Qua suggested he take a workshop at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts.  This gave Richard a chance to reinvest his passion and blow off some stress. 

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He has been profiled in the New York Times, Variety, Chicago Tribune, Northwest Herald, Daily Herald, The New York Post, and several regional magazines.  His Artwork hangs in London, Houston, Los Angeles, Amagansett, Zurich, and various Chicagoland businesses and residences. 

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His past collaborations with Tony Walton, Jim Houghton, Arthur Penn, James Lipton,  Al Pacino, Romulus Linney, Estelle Parsons, Bill Plympton (their collaboration is part of the permanent collection at MoMA), Lloyd Richards, Christopher Walken, Melody Cooper, Alicia Regan, JT Rogers, and  Erik Blome help to define both his Visual Art and Theatrical work. As his friend and neighbor Erik states, "there are no rules in art."   

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Exhibited charity works donated over recent years include Raue Center for the Arts, Pioneer Center & Williams Street Repertory, and The New School.

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50's Princess, 30 x 50 Spray Paint, Oil, Sharpie, Silver Oxide on Canvas.  

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