MSU staffer makes art gallery debut

“I’ve always been a storyteller and a longtime toy collector,” said Kevin Epling, whose “Adventures in Small Scale: The Art of Toy Photography” exhibit opened Saturday (Feb. 4) at the Public Art Gallery in East Lansing’s Hannah Community Center. “About 10 years ago, I started thinking about how I had done product shots for toys before but never thought of building out environments for them.”

He began experimenting, creating dynamic scenes such as Kermit the Frog playing banjo on a tree branch in a park near his home or a recreation of the iconic stair-dancing scene from the film “Joker” (2019) using an action figure and a handmade environment. Fan-favorite superheroes, like DC’s Wonder Woman and Marvel’s Black Panther, are posed in battle-ready action in many of his photos.

Audiences can view all this and more at his first official exhibit, which is on display through Feb. 27. Other works can be found on his Instagram page, @smallscalepics.

Epling, who is well known for the anti-bullying campaign he created after the loss of his son, Matthew, including passing the “Matt Epling Safe School Law,” has spent three decades as a photo and video producer for Michigan State University, “Telling other people’s stories.”

“I think this is an intersection of my collection habits and the techniques that I’ve learned over the years. I’m taking 30 years of video and film production and shrinking it to 1/12th scale,” he said. “I use a lot of the same things in terms of lighting, staging and set design.”

At the Public Art Gallery, Epling and other budding artists can find a professional home for their work. 

“What we do here is rotate artists monthly, and we attract artists who would not get that opportunity otherwise,” said gallery director Yvette Robinson. “If they’re talented, and it’s not discriminatory against somebody else, we pretty much accept all artists and give them this platform to create their work and be an artist.”

An artist in multiple mediums herself, Robinson was appointed to the East Lansing Arts Commission 23 years ago as arts commissioner. In 2002, she was selected to run the gallery project. Celebrating its 19th year in March, the gallery still serves as a platform for creatives in the Greater Lansing community, like Epling.

“Through my art, I get to tell my stories. It’s a little departure for me to kind of come up with different ideas because I feel like every frame on the wall has its story,” Epling said. “It’s been interesting to see people watch and observe my work and come up with their own interpretation of what the stories are — and that makes good art.”

Epling discovered that there’s a worldwide community of others doing this style of toy photography, like Joshua Vasquez, who’s familiar with Epling’s work and came by the exhibit to experience the new photo series. 

“My girlfriend met Kevin at a craft show, and he sold these little light-up lightsabers. She bought one for me for Christmas because I also do toy photography as a hobby,” he said. “I saw his card, and I looked him up online, and I was like, ‘Man, this guy does really amazing work.’” 

“I’ll give my support because this is a relatively unknown hobby. It’s one of the more unique art forms because you can you have complete control over what you see,” he added. “I don’t have to micromanage anything; this is a complete vision of the photographer.” 

Vasquez showed off his Captain America phone case and wallet that complemented his emblematic sweatshirt. 

“I love being here and seeing this kind of stuff,” he said.

Epling’s art is not without the help of his wife, Tammy Epling, a childcare professional.

“He always runs ideas past me, and we talk about what might work, might not work and share ideas,” she said. 

When the Eplings hit the road for comic book conventions or classes, she assists with setting up the environments for observers or students. Admittingly more a nature photographer herself, she always helps when she can.

Epling shared his continuous passion for teaching and getting novices and dedicated photographers alike into toy photography. He recently taught an introductory course into the art form at the East Lansing Public Library. 

“This is a very fun way to get people out of their comfort zone,” he said. “You’re not doing a landscape portrait or a fine-art portrait. There’s not a lot on the line. You can have a lot of fun with this, make mistakes and learn from those mistakes.” 

For those interested in following Epling’s work, he’s hosting a photography workshop at the Grand Ledge Area District Library on March 11. He’ll also be at the Holland Tulip Time Festival on April 3 and Capital City Comic Con from June 30 through July 2.