Wednesday, November 5, 2008

The Carving of the Pumpkin

It seems like such a simple task…grab a pumpkin, cut it open, clean it out, make a face for it. However, there is more to it than that…lots more (if you’re Daniel Johnson). The process starts with picking the perfect pumpkin. What constitutes the perfect pumpkin? Apparently it has a lot to do with the stem. I admit that I still don’t quite understand, but there is an art to it people.
Next it is important to have the right tools, especially for cleaning the pumpkin out, because it must be cleaned out well. May I recommend an ice-cream scoop? It really does work wonders. And of course you need a sharp knife (both large and small), a pizza cutter, various spoons, and a power drill. Yes, these are the essential tools for carving pumpkins (don’t ask what the pizza cutter is for, I’m not quite sure, but Kember really had fun with it).
If at this point you feel like you need a rest, go ahead, take one…the most challenging part is yet to come. Next, and this part is not to be rushed, you must decide on the “face” of your pumpkin. This takes time and planning and like I said before, not to be rushed. It is an art, and Dan will take his time figuring this out, making sketch after sketch and just thinking about it. Anyway, after all is said and done this is the result. Looks simple, I know, but it’s so much more.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Man, it is difficult carving a pumpkin. When I was dating Cory, I was carving a pumpkin, pulled the knife out and cut myu finger. That was the first and last time I carved a pumpkin.

Unknown said...

Yeah, we've given up on the carving part of pumpkins. It's so much more fun to paint them instead. :) And I would say less messy, but when you're dealing with a 3-yr-old and paint...yeah.
Love your pumpkins!

Hannalee said...

This is Todd not Hanna but I just wanted to say that I am glad someone else takes pumpkin carving as seriously as I do. I hadn't thought of the drill (great idea) but I would suggest would chisels for peeling off the outside layer for shading effects.

Loni said...

Such good suggestions. I still have a slightly green pumpkin in the garage. Maybe I ought to try these ideas - Just for practice you know. But then, maybe not.

Loni said...

Oh yah! Is Kember healed after that head dive in the park???

Andrea said...

Very creative. I'm guessing Dan's is the one that isn't poked through all the way. Am I right?

michelle said...

Nah...tools are overrated. Kids carve pumpkins to play with the guts. Besides if you let Dan use tools this year, he will have to buy a new tool to do the ones next year. The reasons guys come up with to buy tools:)