Richard Bruland was born in Lima, Peru and grew up in Geneva, Switzerland. He studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and is a graduate of California Institute of the Arts in Valencia.

In the Los Angeles area, his work can be seen at Lora Schlesinger Gallery at Bergamot Station, Santa Monica. Bruland is a member of the Los Angeles Art Association.

From 1982 -1990 he was owner/operator of Bebop Records & Fine Art, a combination retail record store, art gallery and performance place. The gallery hosted early shows by artists such as Raymond Pettibon and Cameron Jamie, while musicians such as Los Lobos, Lucinda Williams, Henry Rollins, and Beck graced its stage. Bebop became known as one of the finest small venues in the L.A. area.

Recently, California State University Northridge established an archive of all existing posters, photos, and memorabilia relating to Bebop in the Special Collections of Oviatt Library.