Meet Richard Perkins

We recently connected with Richard Perkins and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Richard , we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

Confidence and self-esteem comes from you being a good person to the people and the people who follow you or enjoy the work you do. Always be an artist for the people and help grow a community but remember you have to do it for yourself as well no matter what.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I have been an artist my whole life. My mother was an artist and a florist. About the time I hit high school I got a camera and I started taking photos of everything. I started taking photos of all friends, where we worked, when we were skateboarding and running around like teeangers do. I also started writing poetry around the same time. I started finding new music and new authors and new prophets. For example Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, Otis Redding, Hunter S. Thompson, Saul Williams etc. Now I am still inspired by the same things and the same people. When I turned into my early 20’s I started making short films and I still do today. If they matter? Who cares. That’s the whole point of making films is to do it with your friends. (shout out to John and Petra Mulligan) and everyone who has been involved in those projects. Now going back to poetry I am backed by Public Zoo Press which is based out of Norfolk, Virginia. They have published 95% of my work. I am currently working on a new book titled “Hold Me Until I’m Not Lonely Anymore” which will be out in 2026. I also have a poetry album out called “Poetry For A Dark Place” which was produced by Garret Green and is now on all platforms. I also run a poetry every last tuesday of the month at Cobra Nashville right here in East Nashville. All are welcome it is seriously the best vibes.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Again… kindness is very important and trust as well. I have seen a lot of heros fall because they have demons and faults. Quality is also important you have to produce good work that you believe in and once the people start liking it… it’s all up from there. Last I would say style and the ability to talk to anybody about anything. Being able to talk about music and films and life and work you know?

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

The answer to this is going to be a little wild. The most helpful people/things have been my closest friends, family of course but also other artists and wrestlers and filmmakers. I also get help from nostalgia and the great gifts and memories of the past. I have a huge VHS collection and a home video collection so I get an extreme amount of inspiration from that. Living in Nashville I have been inspired and pushed as well from people like Marlos E’Van. Hardway Heeter, John and Petra Mulligan, Garret Green, Abstract Black, BEZ and Joshua Johnston.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.parachutefullofforks.com
• Instagram: @whothefuckisrichardperkins
• Facebook: Richard Perkins
• Youtube: @mulliganperkinsvhs200
• Soundcloud: Values666
• Other: Link to my poetry album:

  https://open.spotify.com/album/4tqw8oxf6pXLFb64cRu5Sn?si=pGxaX5nXRGGx19HOzKGCkw

Image Credits

Portrait of me was taken by Jeremiah Smith

All other photos were taken by me (Richard Perkins}