The blog of photographer Kim Ayres

Pumpkin Carving

For the 3rd year in a row - which now makes it tradition - my son, Rogan, has joined me in carving a pumpkin for Halloween.

He's pretty damn good at it too


With the lights on


With the lights off

And what you can't see here, is his pumpkin cast the most wonderful shadows on the wall and ceiling in the dark with just a wee candle inside.

Meanwhile I've been feeling the pressure after character concept artist, Allen Capoferri (visit Allen's Zoo to see some of his stunning sketches), left a comment a few weeks ago that he was looking forward to seeing what I was going to create this year.

I thought I'd have a go at trying to create a more 3D type of carving after seeing some amazing stuff on the web. However, I quickly realised that my imagination and enthusiasm far outstripped my technical ability. And, of course, those who are carving the really mindblowing sculptures, are not only using proper carving tools (rather than just a small kitchen knife and a spoon), but practice an awful lot - not just once a year.

It might not win any awards, but at least the challenge was fun.


With the lights on


With the lights off

Happy Samhain to my pagan friends and Happy Halloween to my Christian friends and anyone else who just likes the excuse to carve vegetables.

14 comments

Anonymous said...

Turned out really cool! :D

Kim Ayres said...

Thanks Allen :)

hope said...

Delightfully spooky!

Jayne Martin said...

Those are wonderful!! Happy Halloween, my talented friend.

Kim Ayres said...

Hope - thank you :)

Jayne - thank you, and to you :)

mapstew said...

Nice job, both of you! :¬)

Kim Ayres said...

Thanks Mapstew :)

savannah said...

well done, sugar! you and rogan did great work. xoxoxox

Kim Ayres said...

Thanks Sav :)

angryparsnip said...

I always look forward to your Halloween carvings post.
These are wonderful !
But I do miss your turnip (?) tiny carving you have done before also.
Happy, spooky Halloween.

cheers, parsnip

Anonymous said...

I forgot to say..thank you for wonderful mention of me. :)

Kim Ayres said...

Parsnip - I don't remember posting a carved turnip photo - it's quite a few years since I discovered the flexibility and softness advantages of pumpkins over turnips. Are you sure you're not mistaking me for another blogger?

Allen - you're welcome :)

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

Well! Lemme tell you, I never knew pumpkin could be so scary!

This gave me a giggle: "However, I quickly realised that my imagination and enthusiasm far outstripped my technical ability."

I imagine you carving away and sweating.

I cooked pumpkin Guyana-Indian style yesterday mmmm!

Kim Ayres said...

GG - glad you liked the line - as it flowed out of the keyboard, I couldn't help but reflect that it summed up an awful lot of my attempts at things in life...

Your pumpkin cooking sounds intriguing - at some point I am going to have to find my way to Guyana to experience it :)

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