10 Very Unique Toys Made By 5 Incredible (Non Toy) Artists

Ten Toys From Five Different Artists!

Today we are highlighting 10 very unique toys made by some of the most incredible, ground-breaking, and truly deserving artists of our time. Read on to be introduced to some extremely mind-melting toys and artists that may just deserve a place in your collection!

1. Gary Baseman

Los Angeles-based Gary Baseman explores the “beauty of the bittersweetness of life” through painting, performance, film, toys, and fashion. Today we are focusing on a couple of rather unique and endearing characters from Baseman that have been realised in vinyl form for us collectors to enjoy.

Creamy

Creamy was created for Gary Baseman’s Happy Idiot and other paintings about Unattainable Beauty and I Melt in your Presence exhibitions. The sweet and naïve Creamy was produced into a collectible vinyl toy by 3DRetro. There have been multiple versions of Creamy released, all of which are quite hard to find and very desirable. Which one is your favourite?

Ahwroo

Ahwroo was Inspired by Baseman’s cat and best friend, Blackie The Cat. So our guess is that Ahwroo is a mixture of cat and werewolf and is definitely a creature that you don’t want to get on the wrong side of.

Many version of Ahwroo have been produced into a vinyl toy by 3DRetro, many of which are hard to find. However a recent re-release of the Bloody Ahwroo‘is widely available right now! Baseman sometimes releases hand painted versions of Ahwroo, such as the Goth Ahwroo among others that fetch extremely high prices.

Follow Gary Baseman:

Web: garybaseman.com
Instagram: instagram.com/garybaseman
Facebook: facebook.com/gary.baseman

2. Theodoru

Vienna-based artist Theodoru (also known as Teodoru) describes himself as a Neo Pop Artist that expresses himself via a multitude of media, such as 3D Illustrations, traditional drawings, photography, and of course, toys. Theodoru creates cheerful, bizarre, and colourful characters! Today we are focusing on two in particular that have been made into absolutely outstanding and recognisable toys by intelligently combining pop culture giants with his unique style. 

Kranyus

Teo’s digital style and techniques (mixed with inspiration from one rather recognisable mouse) helps to transform this well-known aesthetic into something bold, brand new, and undeniably unique. There are many versions of Kranyus, some of which are still readily available. However the OG edition is more difficult to find! It’s one you will have to keep an eye out for. Good luck!

Skulltoons ‘The Pino’

Skulltoons is a series of illustrations by Theodoru that portrays iconic pop culture titans in Teo’s unique ‘skull’ style. The Pino features the artist’s stylized, skull head take on the classic wooden puppet who yearns to be “a real boy,” and serves as the first sculpture of the series produced by STREAMS.

The four editions can be seen below, each one just as beautiful as the other. Jaw-droppingly clean lines are accentuated by a bold use of colours, shades, and a flawless glossy finish. We hope that the success ofThe Pino means that there will be more and more Skulltoons pieces coming our way in the future. Don’t you?

Follow Theodoru:

Web: theodoru.com
Instagram: instagram.com/theodoru
Facebook: facebook.com/theodoru

3. Jeremyville

Australian artist Jeremyville is a prolific and highly achieved illustrator that’s recognised across the globe. He is a keen collaborator that has produced work for some of the world’s top brands and has helped to introduce art toys into the mainstream in ways that other artists have not managed to do so since; he’s a true legend that deserves a place on this list. With that said, lets take a look at just some of the toys Jeremyville has produced.

Jethro Be@brick

Jeremyville’s iconic character, Jethro, but now immortalised as a Be@rbrick! Produced by Medicom Toy, of course, a 400% and 100% version was released way back when. Jeremyville’s online shop, The Corner Store, sometimes has hand-signed editions available from the artist himself! If you’re lucky enough, you may just be able to secure one!

Jeremyville X Hugo Boss Collection

Continuing to break the mould, Jeremyville collaborated with fashion giant, Hugo Boss, back in 2018 for a special Christmas collection of clothing AND vinyl designer toys. How cool is that? Jethro Bunny, Pig, Christmas Tree, and Snow-Man helped to drive the campaign, among others.

Hugo Boss stores also had giant versions made for in-store display purposes, which can also be hunted down and added to your collection! The prices of these toys vary greatly, especially the ex-display pieces, naturally. However the snow-man seems to be the most difficult of the smaller figures to find, so good luck hunting!

Follow Jeremyville:

Web: jeremyville.com
Instagram: instagram.com/jeremyville
Facebook: facebook.com/jeremyvilledaily

4. Travis Lampe

Chicago-based Travis Lampe is a truly gifted storyteller who manages to encapsulate the whimsical, nightmarish themes inspired by children’s storybooks and bedtime stories through his illustrative prowess. Lampe has only dipped his toes into the art toy scene but in doing so, he has both managed to create a truly legendary blind-box series, and also released an incredible rendition of Theodoru’s Kranyus.

Tear Drips blindbox series

All the way back in 2009, the Tear Drips were the product of a collaboration between Chicago-based production company Squibbles, New York toy store Rotofugi, and of course, Travis Lampe. These delightful little drips scream Lampe’s unique style, and there’s an expression and colour to suit everyone. We wish you good luck finding one though, as they tend to be pretty hard to come across in todays market. Just look at these little drips! Amazing.

Kranyus: Chauncey Edition

Kranyus: Chauncey Edition is quite clearly a fantastic example of a collaboration between Theodoru and Travis Lampe! Travis spun an already amazing silhouette into something brand new and undoubtedly Lampe. Available In two different colourways, both Chauncey edition are still available and you can pick them up directly from Travis Lampe’s Fantasy Cryland Store or from a few other reputable designer toy retailers. So keep those Chauncey hunting eyes peeled! 

Follow Travis Lampe:

Web: fantasycryland.bigcartel.com
Instagram: instagram.com/travislampe
Facebook: facebook.com/travis.lampe

5. Greg Mike

Connecticut based artist Greg Mike, is a master of creating crisp linework inspired by iconic American mid-century cartoons. He creates “Gleefully twisted characters, his world is unsettling, mischievous and uniquely captivating.” Greg Mike has also recently made some very impressive art toys, which has respectively landed him the number 5 spot on this list. 

Loud Mouf

Loud Mouf, otherwise known as Larry, served as Greg Mike’s very first designer toy! As his official character, Larry was the obvious choice for his first toy. A totem of positivity, creativity, and free-speech, Larry Loud Mouf is a symbol of hope that allows Greg Mike to express himself, his ideals, and his message. Larry sold out very fast so if you find one, grab it, and hold onto it forever. Oh and “Live Loud”!

Tom & Jerry “Get Animated”

We all know Tom & Jerry! These two unmistakable classics have now been infused with Greg Mike’s original character, Larry Loudmouf . Elements of Larry can be found throughout this piece, such as the mouth in Tom’s hand, and the triplicate eyes possessed by both.

“Get Animated” was expertly produced by Soap Studio and was available through multiple retailers. Unfortunately, like most of the toys on our list today, the duo is sold out. We hope you find one! As this is one killer homage and one crazy designer toy.

Follow Greg Mike:

Web: gregmike.com
Instagram: instagram.com/gregmike
Facebook: facebook.com/theartofgregmike

Special thanks to all of the amazing artists featured on this list!

Thank you for reading our extensive 10 Unique Toys Made By 5 Incredible Artists listicle! Do you own any of the toys on this list? If you enjoyed this and would like to see more of these in the future, let us know in the comments below!

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