Artist creates art appreciation with pumpkins
"This guy must have a lot of time on his hands."
John Grundman overhears that often when people are looking at his jack-o'-lantern art.
"It's quite the opposite," said Grundman. "I just make the time."
About seven years ago, when his oldest child was at Mukwonago Nursery School, teacher Kathy Hansen asked Grundman if he would carve a pumpkin that would advertise the school at the Jack-O-Lantern Jaunt. Being an artist, Grundman has always enjoyed carving pumpkins and taking extra time to create an eye-catching jack-o'-lantern. Over the following six years, Grundman has carved at least one special pumpkin for the Jaunt, advertising the Mukwonago Nursery School, which all four of his children attended, every other year.
Grundman, a Mukwonago resident and art teacher in the Mukwonago Area School District, first became interested in art as a student at Waukesha South High School. He earned a degree in elementary education and taught for a couple of years, then sold houses for 13 years before getting his art education certificate from UW-Whitewater two years ago. Now he works as one of the art teachers at Section Elementary School and is happy to be back in education - and even happier to be teaching art.
Using techniques and tools from wood carving, Grundman has "gotten better and better" at carving pumpkins over the years. He tried creating 3-D jack-o'-lanterns but has since evolved to doing drawing and taking a more artistic approach to his carving.
The last two years have been more of an art awareness effort for the Jaunt on his part. Last year he carved VanGogh's "Starry Night," and this year Grant Woods' "American Gothic" as well as a hawk for Section School. It doesn't bother him that his hours spent carving don't last more than several days or weeks.
"I don't mind that. It's just a sense of pride," Grundman said. "It looks cool and gives people a sense of appreciation."
Carving tips
Experts recommend having a pattern in mind when selecting a pumpkin for carving to make sure the gourd will accommodate your design. They also and advise to never carry a pumpkin by the stem.
Once pumpkin and pattern are in hand, Grundman stresses safety first. The key to safe carving is sharp tools, which will require less force and reduces the chance of accidental slipping. Never cut toward your hand or any other body part.
"I use nice sharp wood carving tools, Exacto knives, and sometimes an electric high-speed rotary tool," said Grundman.
Grundman guts the pumpkin by cutting a hole big enough for his hand and arm to fit through. He uses a "goop scoop" that can be purchased at any store and scrapes the inside walls until they are about less than one inch thick.
Carving the smallest pieces first and working toward larger cutout areas increases stability, as does leaving all cutouts in place until carving is done.
Once the pumpkin is carved, as the final touch, Grundman applies Vaseline to the carved areas to help extend the life of the carving.
Although his hours spent hunched over pumpkins when carving are lost in a couple of weeks, Grundman has done nonpermanent art before. He mowed patterns into the hill at Lauren Park off Highway EE one summer.
"I love to see the people's reaction," said Grundman. "I take a lot of pride in my work, and this is a good way to express my art."
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