Engraving My Jeep Onto A Pumpkin

Driving through the colorful scenic woods and lakeshores in Northern Michigan is one of my favorite ways to experience the changing of seasons. It seemed fitting to use that as inspiration for my fall pumpkin carving and carve my Wagoneer into a delightful autumn lantern.  I sketched an outline onto the pumpkin and scored it with a knife. Once the outline was in place, I used my wood carving and linocut tools to slowly peel away layers of pumpkin (just deep enough to let light shine through). 

First, I had to choose just the right pumpkin!

Next, I sketched a rough outline of my Wagoneer onto the face of the pumpkin and scored it into the pumpkin.

Pumpkin carving turns into a bit of a competitive sport in our family. Each year we gather with relatives to carve our pumpkins, eat comfort foods and roast the pumpkin seeds we've removed.  What started as traditional jack o'lantern carving has now morphed into all kinds of unique creations.  Undoubtedly, no one was really all that surprised with my pumpkin carving choice.