THE FRIGHT GALLERY 2001
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HOW TO BUILD A PUMPKIN Our giant patriotic jack o' lantern began with a framed structure on the lawn, its wooden 'phone booth' core supporting the flexible rib strips which created the pumpkin shape (we hoped!). The pumpkin stood over six feet tall even without its stem, which was added later. |
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Keith enclosed the pumpkin frame with insulation rolls, cut into strips and shaped to fit the curved contour -- and to make the job as itchy as possible! The eyes, nose and mouth openings have been created and reinforced with more ribs to maintain their shapes. An unexpected result -- the weight of the insulation strips distorted the pumpkin frame slightly, bulging it out more toward the bottom half, which actually made it resemble a pumpkin more than a round balloon. I mean, we planned this effect all along! |
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With the frame covered, Lisa and Keith completed the pumpkin skin with strips of paper maché. This sealed all the seams and gave the pumpkin a protective shell from the elements once it dried. It also provided a much more even and sturdy surface for painting. Note that the teeth are in place inside the mouth -- of the pumpkin, that is. Well, Keith and Lisa have their teeth in too, come to think of it! But they'll black out a few of them in time for the show. |
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