Don’t worry: We’re not sneaking in Christmas before Halloween is even over! Lindsay Evans and Jim Tronoski from our Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments team are posting today to celebrate the October-y present…by sharing some very special, artist-made pumpkins with Think.Make.Share. 

With Halloween just days away, some of our Keepsake Studio artists spent a day at Hallmark’s Kearney Farm decorating pumpkins. Because Keepsake artists are focused on the Christmas season all year round, a visit to the farm is always a refreshing change of pace from day-to-day work, and the peaceful fall setting was the ideal place to immerse themselves in Halloween fun. Whether you like to carve, paint or decorate, these artist-created pumpkins are sure to get you in the spooky spirit and give you some ideas for your very own Hallmark-inspired pumpkin.

Carving

Hallmark artists Robert Hurlburt and Tammy Haddix used their sculpting skills to carve their Halloween creations. Pumpkins allow for a much bigger scale than the fine detail of the ornament line they’re used to working on, but, as you can see, these pumpkins are every bit as detailed as their smaller ornament counterparts. Get creative and see what kind of scene or detail you can create beyond the traditional carved jack-o-lantern face.

Painting

Hallmark artists Tom Best and Tracy Larsen took a slightly different approach and applied their illustration skills by painting their pumpkins. A pumpkin’s smooth surface is the perfect canvas, and brightly colored paint adds a fresh and colorful new take to your porch’s pumpkin display. Painted pumpkins last longer than carved pumpkins, and they’re also a fun (and safe) way to get kids involved in the creation process.

Decorating

Hallmark artists Ruth Donikowski, Lisa Vogel and Debra Nielsen assembled one-of-a-kind creations with a mixture of painting, carving and added materials. Whether creating a scene inside a pumpkin with found objects or adding materials to help make a character, decorated pumpkins help tell a story all your own.

Photography by Kevin Cozad.

Be sure to tune in to the Home and Family Show on the Hallmark Channel tomorrow, October 29th at 10:00am CST see Keepsake artist Deb Nielsen talking about her Halloween creation!

— Jim T.