Carver Turns Pumpkins Into Art

Carver Turns Pumpkins Into Art FARM HOME Novelty Items Carving giant pumpkins is a niche art form that Gus “Squashcarver” Smithhisler accidentally discovered in 2001 He had been raising pumpkins and was removing the seeds at the Indiana State Fair when he said “Someone should carve this one ” With a knife in hand he took up his own challenge and carved out the logos of the state fair and Indiana Pumpkin Growers The Ohio engineer has been carving pumpkins and other vegetables ever since With each pumpkin’s lumps bumps and ridges being unique flexibility and spontaneity are important Smithhisler recalls being asked to carve a map of Asia for a zoo event But when he looked at the pumpkin he told them “That’s a tiger ” and that’s what he carved He sketches his design on the pumpkin with a grease pencil and carves with a filet knife and ribbon sculpting tools used for clay It takes 4 to 6 hrs to carve giant pumpkins that weigh 500 to 1 000 lbs “Pumpkins are very forgiving ” Smithhisler notes so if something isn’t right he can carve deeper in walls that are up to 10 in thick However they can also add challenges like soft spots and color variations His most difficult sculpture was a waterfall with a suspension bridge that used the pumpkin’s guts for the waterfall He adds that he also spends more time when he’s asked to carve detailed logos His experience as an engineer for Ohio Department of Natural Resource projects is helpful for detailed designs and making adjustments when problems arise As one of only a handful of giant pumpkin carvers Smithhisler’s busiest time is September through Halloween but he’s added other vegetables cheese and butter carving to his skill set He also branched out to fiberglass sculptures with his wife and works with another sculptor who also sculpts ice When Smithhisler retires as an engineer he hopes to expand with fiberglass sculptures For now he appreciates his role as “squashcarver ” His most unusual request was to carve three pumpkins that fit inside each other with the message “Will You Marry Me” with a ring inside the smallest pumpkin “I see it as much as a performance art as just the final carving ” he says recalling how people kept returning to see how his sculptures progressed at an event in Las Vegas In addition to making sculptures that can last for months in the right conditions he proudly supports giant pumpkin growers After the sculptures are past their prime he removes the seeds and returns them to the growers Smithhisler travels to events throughout the country and has contact information on his website Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Gus Smithhisler Ohio gus@squashcarver com; www squashcarver com

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