Local artists have been busily creating art on pumpkins as part of a fund raising effort for two of our favorite institutions, the Eureka Springs School of the Arts and the Clear Spring School, which my godson has the privilege of attending. I chose an oddly shaped pumpkin and decided to carve it to make the most of it’s long curves. I cut arches and carved lines up toward its newly determined top on which I then used a gold leafing pen. I also added a bit of the gold around the edges of each opening and the result is a pumpkin that looks like a temple for mice. Fun.
Of course, each of the artists involved took a completely different approach to their craft. Carol Peacock’s nearly heart shaped pumpkin is painted her trademark red with gold leafing at the two ends and is quietly elegant as it reclines on a pedestal. Ralph “Mr. Shrine” Wilson created a Day of the Dead altar atop his pumpkin which is truly a sight to see. Rosie Williams, who makes beautiful beaded jewelry, carved niches throughout her pumpkin and then strung beads across them for what I imagine will create the most wonderful effects when backlit by a candle. I think I need to go buy that for myself. I already took home a fanciful stacking of pumpkins for a truly fun jack o’ lantern by E. Rae Smith, my neighbor, and a wonderful stained glass artist. If you’re in Eureka Springs,head over to EurekaThyme in the Quarter at 121 W. Van Buren (that’s Hwy 62) and try to beat me to Rosie’s beaded beauty. By the way, mine has already found it’s new home, but there are probably close to twenty to choose from.
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