Daily Inspiration: Meet Richard Parr

Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Parr.

Hi Richard, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have always been interested in the arts, especially Japanese art. I first went to Japan in 1981, while there I saw the sunset from the top of Mount Fuji and explored Tokyo and Kyoto. I got married in Japan in 1983 and have travelled back and forth from Los Angeles to Tokyo many times. I ended up getting a degree in art education with a minor in graphic design from CSUN. I then worked in the graphic design industry for 35 years for hundreds of clients. Myself and my teams won over 30 awards for creative design. As a side passion, I had been collecting Japanese woodblock prints. I turned my passion into a business about 5 years ago and built an online store selling original Japanese woodblock prints. Most prints are 150 years old, by famous artists such as Hiroshige, Hokusai, Yoshitoshi, Kunisada, Kunichika, and others. I seek to educate others about the joys of collecting prints. My YouTube channel has over 6K subscribers and 200 videos about print collecting. In 2025 we had a 6 month exhibit of Japanese prints at the Hilbert Museum in the city of Orange. I also currently teach a woodblock print appreciation class at the Venice Japanese Community Center. I’m working to publish a book on an exciting print series called “36 Good and Evil Women” by Xmas 2026.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The creative industry is never secure and always challenging. The key is building a good portfolio of work and being a good communicator. Fortunately I managed to work for some excellent clients, and with amazing people over the years.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
For my woodblock print business I’m big on education. My goal is to educate and motivate others, especially new collectors about artists and print series. This is why I have over 200 videos online and am actively educating and lecturing. Although the niche is small – there is still an avid audience and new people are getting interested in original Japanese prints every day. Most people don’t know the stories about Japanese history, culture, heroes, and legends behind each print. I enjoy researching and sharing my knowledge through multiple online and offline channels.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
Jumping from a high dive board at the local pool when I was about 7 years old, in England (where I was born).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://miegallery.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mie_ukiyoe_gallery/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MieGallery
• Twitter: https://x.com/Mie_Gallery
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MieGallery
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@miegallery