New 2008 Pumpkin Art!

As promised before, here is my newest creation. These were both carved using a wood-carving exacto knife set. Nothing fancy, just tedious dedication. This is a Heath Ledger Joker pumpkin carving. I created the pattern myself using Photoshop. This one took me about nine hours, start to finish, including creating the pattern, transfer, gutting, and of course, carving. Could I have spent this time doing something else? Sure, but then I wouldn't have a piece of transient art, shining in all its decaying glory!

Also, here is a better picture of my previous Gollum pumpkin, now properly lit with 40 watts of glory.

Gollum Jack-o-lantern

When I was a little kid I once saw this old man who had the coolest pumpkins ever. They weren't the normal, run-o-the-mill, happy jack-o-lantern's with gaping smiles. Oh no, these were professionally done. The intricate patterns, the multi-toned images, oh the wonder and magic of being a kid again! I saw what others had done and had to know how. The old man was kind and happy enough to explain how he did it. It was simple, a special blade for his exacto knife. Nothing too fancy, just a saw-toothed blade.

I begged and begged my parents to get me that blade. If this old man could do it, surely I could! My parents never acquiesced. In their defense, I was only eight at the time, but even at eight I dreamt big. There was no challenge I could not conquer, unless the world was arrayed against me with my parents as willing accomplices!

So here I am, almost twenty years later and Halloween is approaching. This is the year that I am going to do it. It's not expensive and even though time is short for hobbies these days, this is a lifelong dream, as it were. So without further adieu, here is my first creation. Note first. The picture quality isn't great, it's much more impressive in real life, but this gives a good idea of what it looks like.

Pattern from The Pumpkin Wizard

If I can find the time in the next ten days, I plan on making several more. This was my first attempt, using manual tools. The dremel is next on the list. There will be pumpkin everywhere, I have no doubt. I can't wait to see what I come up with though using the proper tools!