Black Mister Melty

Buff Monster lives in Hollywood and cites heavy metal music, ice cream and Japanese culture as major influences. The color pink, a symbol of confidence, individuality and happiness, is present in everything he creates. Buff Monster’s creative endeavors began by putting up thousands of hand-silkscreened posters across Los Angeles and in far-away places. His frequent poster missions developed into a productive street art career, and he now works on fine art paintings, collectible toys and select design projects. He paints on wood, taking great care to create his images as flat as possible, and his work has been shown in galleries worldwide, often accompanied by large installations. Buff Monster has released numerous signature vinyl toys through MINDstyle, and has many other projects in the works with leading toy companies. His art has been published in a variety of magazines, websites, newspapers and books, including Juxtapoz, Paper, Nylon, Cool Hunting, Angeleno, The Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly, The New York Times, and many more. Buff Monster works tirelessly day and night to spread happiness, joy and a love of pink. Self-produced art toys are designer collectibles created and manufactured independently by the artist or small teams without the backing of a large toy company or mass-market brand. These toys are often highly personal, artistic expressions and are usually made in limited runs. Key Characteristics include independent creation where the artist is in control of the entire process from concept, sculpting, and painting to production and packaging. These are usually made in small batches, often 10–100 pieces, which adds to their rarity, made using materials like resin, sofubi (Japanese soft vinyl), or 3D-printed components. NTWRK is a premier live-stream shopping platform that has established itself as a significant venue for art toys and collectibles. By hosting virtual festivals and partnering with renowned artists and conventions, NTWRK offers enthusiasts access to exclusive releases and immersive experiences. NTWRK organizes events like “Unboxed,” a two-day designer toy and collectibles festival featuring exclusive releases and interactive panels with industry icons. They serve as the exclusive live-streaming partner for conventions like DesignerCon, broadcasting live from the event and providing virtual attendees access to exclusive art toy releases. Through these initiatives, NTWRK has become a central hub for art toy collectors, offering unique opportunities to engage with the latest in designer toys and collectibles.