In Eye on KELOLAND, we discover a Sioux Falls dad whose creative carvings are creating quite a stir on the city's east-side.
With a sharp knife and the steady hand of a surgeon, Marcus Hicks is creating a masterpiece, on the side of a pumpkin. "There's a lot of detail in that one."
What started out as a hobby turns into an obsession every October. "I figured I would start a family tradition...it just happened to be pumpkins."
And when it comes to carving them, you could say Marcus Hicks is a "cut" above the rest. Hicks says, "With 15 pumpkins not a seed goes to waste."
Fifteen is a conservative number. Some years Hicks will carve up to 30 pumpkins, depending on how many orders come in. Hicks says, "Friends, family, people I run into and tell them about the pumpkins and they ask and if I've got time I'll make them one."
And what's even more impressive than his pumpkins is his fee for carving one. Hicks says, "Nope, never sold a one...usually I'll do a trade-out for more pumpkins...and just do it for the fun of it."
Practice makes perfect, especially when it comes to carving. Hick’s works as a computer trainer during the day...and pumpkin carver at night. Hicks says, "I'll finish it the same night. I will take some breaks in between to give the fingers a rest and the tools but usually I'll go straight thru."
Some projects take an hour or so, many others take a lot more time...and patience. Hicks says, "portraits get a little bit difficult sometime just because you want to get the detail perfect so you can tell who it is."
All he needs is a photograph. Hicks uses a computer program to manipulate the picture into a black and white shaded pattern. The darker the shade, the deeper the cut…Hicks says, "Typically what I'll do is I'll start to slowly whittle away around the detail portions then you can see wide areas that you can scrape and strip away the Rhine."
From portraits, to pets...Hicks can carve anything...pretty much anywhere. Hicks says, "The benefit of the fake ones is that they'll last forever so you can put them out year after year."
But the real ones provide the best backdrop for his annual "Eye Popper." One pumpkin that stands alone year after year.
From the Shrine of Democracy to a double-pumpkin masterpiece from the African Savannah.
This year’s "Eye Poppin'" pumpkin for 2008 is a stunning replica of our city's namesake. "The Falls of the Big Sioux."
Hicks also has some advice for us amateur carvers...get a good photo in your mind of what you want to do...take your time....and don't forget…to be one with the pumpkin.
Hicks also created a website that showcases some of his pumpkins from the past, and also has a discussion page where you can pick up some helpful tips when it comes to carving and preserving your picturesque pumpkin.
prairiepumpkins.forumotion.com/
