Profile

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Richard Ford III (RF3RD) is a visual artist based in New York City. He holds a BFA in illustration from Columbia College Chicago (2008). Having exhibited works in New York (2017, 2018, 2019, 2022) and Japan (2017, 2018, 2022), Richard’s works can best be described as having a strong influence of anime and manga that is complemented by his background in graffiti, giving his works attitude, dimension, color, and personality. He has provided work in the form of murals for a bar, Decibel (2023), Naomi Osaka & Body Armor SuperDrink (2021 under Masterpiece NYC art direction), Rai Rai Ken (2022, an interior mural), illustrations for Universal Music Japan (2020, Wagakkiband), and graphic design for Nippon Club’s art exhibition, Shichiro Kobayashi: Drama of Light and Shadow. As a small way of giving back, Richard, through the Japan Society, instructs the youth via manga workshops. Taking place both physically and online, students of various demographics are able to engage in lessons that build off of fundamental drawing techniques to help promote their growth and knowledge.