UofMUSCLE.com – M.U.S.C.L.E. Figures from Mattel

Arguably the most common sentiment with M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors is that M.U.S.C.L.E. toys were a fertile playground for their imagination as children. One of the things that children did with those M.U.S.C.L.E. figures was to color, write, and paint on them. Many collectors simply view those childhood creations as damaged toys – figures no longer in mint condition. One artist, Luke Harris, has taken the childhood practice of painting figures and turned them into creative pieces that would stand out and best any “mint condition” figures.

Luke has been painting, building, breaking, and making things since he can remember. His specific interest in painting small figures arose for a love of painting D&D miniatures as a child. His passion was reignited, and talent refined, when the Lord of the Rings miniature game was released. His work spanned multiple toy lines and garnered quite a bit of attention (i.e., ActionFigureCustoms.com). A chance meeting with Jon Karis at a local toy show led him to both LRG and M.U.S.C.L.E. figures. Since then he has been selling his painted M.U.S.C.L.E. figures on both LittleRubberGuys.com and eBay.

Collectors are likely able to offer several reasons why Luke’s work is so enjoyable. It might be the overall creativity; it might be the color choices; it could even be Luke’s continual growth and originality as an artist with figures like Mr. Lobo’s Toys and The Imperfecz.

The strength of Luke’s work is to connect with and draw-in non-collectors. When Luke’s figures are placed on a shelf they instantly draw the attention of observers. They stand out among other toys, and especially among other M.U.S.C.L.E. figures.

Luke’s active participation in the M.U.S.C.L.E. community is an asset to all M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors. In fact, all M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors should have one custom painted M.U.S.C.L.E. figure in their collection. If you would like to purchase an existing painted figure or commission a completely original figure you can contact Luke at MySpace (Luke’s Custom Toys) or LittleRubberGuys.com (l.designs).

Custom Painted M.U.S.C.L.E. Figures:

Mr. Lobo’s Toys:

Mr. Lobo's Toys

The Imperfecz:

This subsection section of Art 300 collected some of Luke Harris’ fan art, in the format of custom painted M.U.S.C.L.E. figures. If you have any drawings, paintings, painted figures, or any other fan art that you would like featured, then please send them to the University of M.U.S.C.L.E. with a brief explanation of the pictures, plus the date (as close as possible) of its creation.