Here are the Jack-O-Lanterns I created for the Minnesota Zoo in my first year on the show. I am not always able to get pictures of the lit pumpkins, but I try my best because nothing beats seeing the finished product all lit up on the trail! The unlit pumpkins are a bit challenging to take glare-free pictures of due to the shiny nature of alcohol ink and the lighting situation at the studio. It’s been really rewarding to see my progress in the medium from the first pumpkin of the season to the last, as well as growth each year that I work the show. The 2021 show had tons of animal pumpkins in it and it was a blast bringing these lanterns to life!
Almost all of my jack-o-lanterns this year were real animals, but for my last pumpkin of the season I branched out into the fictional world. The Almiraj is essentially a rabbit unicorn, originally from medieval Arabic mythology but more recently popular in role playing games like Dungeons & Dragons. The reference for this pumpkin is by artist Leesha Hannigan.
I learned a ton about pumpkin carving technique this fall, and comparing my first pumpkin (Red Panda) to the last (Almiraj) I’m happy with the progress I’ve made with the medium. Looking forward to next year!
If you want to learn more about the show and the process of creating these Jack-O-Lanterns, see my post All About Pumpkin Carving!