ANIMAL showcases a different street artist regularly in our feature, Scratching the Surface. This week, we profile Buff Monster.
Name/Alias:
Buff Monster.
Decade you were born in:
The end of the ’70s.
City you currently live:
Brooklyn.
Drugs or natural highs?
Never done drugs. Never even smoked a cigarette.
How did you get your name?
That was a long time ago…
Why do what you do?
I think the world could always look a little better. Fighting the good fight, along with so many others.
How does your mother feel about your art?
She loves it. My dad does too!
Are you making a living off your art? How’s that working out so far?
Of course! The “starving artist” model never appealed to me. Just like everyone else, I work all the damn time. I’m VERY picky about the projects I work on. Some projects pay really well, some don’t pay at all, but at the end of the day, it all works out.
Fuck the art world or embrace the art world?
There’s lots of art worlds; some more desirable than others.
Do you bring your smart phone into the bathroom with you? Why?
I strive for efficiency in everything I do. Honestly, inefficiency drives me insane.
Do you ever feel like giving up?
Yes! Some days are great, but most days I feel like Sisyphus (the endless struggle part, not the lying part!). I’ve actually been meaning to do a painting of Sisyphus for a long time…
Suggest an artist to follow.
The Yok and Sheryo are always painting something awesome. Better yet, look me up on Instagram and see who else I follow!
