This is our logo. The Laughing Boy. This little guy was my father, Joseph Epler. I clipped this image from a picture of my Uncle Keith and Dad, sitting on a crate. They were playing on our farm, in Harlem,Montana. Having tryed to touch up the image, I realized that the smudge on Dad's face was not a defect, but a mud mustache. I laughed so hard when I discovered this fact. I thought they were so desperate for fun, they literally got in the mud. My Dad could make anything fun, even painting our house and fence. Instead of summer camp, like all my friends enjoyed. He can still make everyone smile....as The Laughing Boy.
 
I am a fourth-generation Montanan with a background in fine arts and design, including residential interior design and children’s theater. Because of my background in scene and costume design, manipulating fabrics and found objects into sculptures comes second nature to me. They are each a piece of theatre and inspiration can come from anywhere. A name, a piece of fabric, or a discarded brooch can be the basis of a character. Next the skeleton is roughed out of electrical wire and wooden dowels. Bits and snatches of fiber, fabric and accessories are pulled together on a story board. Bit by bit the costume is fitted to the character and sometimes the body is fitted to the costume. Next I start the rehearsal process, with posing the character into his or her stance, adding a piece of jewelry, changing a hat, scuffing a boot. Last their face is created, hair and makeup applied appropriate to this new character. Each one has its own voice, its own story.  
We opened The Laughing Boy, in Missoula Montana, on Derby Day, May 5, 2001. Rick and I had moved to Montana, from Louisville Kentucky. We both wanted to do a different adventure, than the one we had in Louisville. We began our pattern of travel with three moving trucks, and two dogs. Our gallery featured our work: my fibered sculptures and Rick's leather belt furniture. We also, featured the work of 35 talented fine craft artists. We closed the gallery after four years of First Night Gallery Hops. Which was mostly our friends partying in the back room. We took to the road. We loved it! What you may not know...there is a amazing family of artists...who travel. At every show you find a gathering of kind, funny, talented, sharing artists. Who for the most part love what they create. Love you guys!! This is the back of my best Gal-Pal, Robbie Moriarty art truck...it is my view to many shows!!!!  But after eight years, Rick wanted to move. I was thrilled! Moved, remodeled and happy in beautiful Silver Hills, Indiana. We live in a historic district that over looks the Ohio River. At night we can see the Louisville skyline. Our neighborhood is filled with all kinds of characters. So we fell right at home. It is a great place to create. We only have one dog left but she is happy, too. . |
