Jimmy Good Toad's Hobbies page

2008 Fall Session - Pumpkin Class - Peabody, MA

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I was contacted by Randy Weld about doing a short pumpkin class in Peabody, MA this season. Randy is the former director of our Boys & Girls Club and has moved on, but remembers his contacts in the local area. The session that Randy proposed would be two 2 1/2 hour session.

A beautiful area of Peabody with the Fall colors and a crow to join us this fine day

He sat there for the longest time too!

Randy Weld and I got all the pumpkins selected and set out on the tables with tools and materials. With only a total of 5 hours spread over 2 weeks we have our work cut out for us!

After a quick lesson on how to transfer a pattern I offered them the opportunity to sketch their own ideas or to use a proved template. Most everyone chose a template to use or modify so the drawing portion of this class went very fast.

Hard at work transferring their patterns onto the pumpkins.

These kids picked this up VERY quickly, allowing us to get and stay way ahead of schedule.

We were even joined by a couple of Emu's as they watched us all work.

Showing off her progress, she is near complete and ready to carve already!

One of my favorite pumpkin subjects, the Scare Crow. She is enjoying this class and is doing a great job on her pumpkin!

As everyone finishes up drawing their pumpkins we realize that we will have plenty of time to begin carving today.

A wide shot showing the class hard at work

This boy shows how effectively he transferred the image of the husky to his pumpkin

Here we see a student taking knife to pumpkin as we begin to carve.

Everyone did a great job and got a lot done today. That will make next week go much quicker as we gut and light them up.

Finishing up with all the knife work, we will focus on wood chisels next week.

On the last day of carving everyone is putting the finishing touches on their pumpkins.

Two tables full of budding master pumpkin carvers!

Nearing completion, we're just about ready to begin gutting and lighting these wonderful gourds.

Finishing up on a very complex subject.

Now let's light'em up!

The kids line up with their finished pumpkins as a local reporter records their story

What a collection of the finest art in Peabody!

Taking a hint from the reporter, I had each artist pose with their creation. We had moved into the greenhouse after it had begun to rain. So we were all warm and comfy while finishing our pumpkins.

Lit, these are a sight to behold

Everyone a work of art!

It was truly amazing to see the quality of the work done given such an accelerated schedule!

Close ups help to show the detail, but seeing them in person was the best

This is the pumpkin that I carved for the farm as a thank you for letting us use their facility for this event.

A witch is a perfect Halloween theme. Here she is with her crystal ball ready to conjure up SOMEthing nasty, to be sure!

Pumpkins on a pumpkin. I just love it!

A Siberian Husky head, showing that not all pumpkins need be Halloween themed to work and look beautiful!

This concludes the Peabody Pumpkin Carving event.
Special thanks to the folks at Brooksby Farm for their generosity.
Also, thank you to Randy Weld for inviting me to meet all of these future artists!
Thank you also to all the hard work these kids put into their pumpkins!

See you next year!