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| For over six years, Ryan Wickstrand has been carving up pumpkin guts from the dead and bringing to life a new breed of Jack o Lanterns. |
Beyond the Dark Horizon: Zombie Pumpkins! Ryan, you run and own an interesting website and business.
First thing is first though, how does a pumpkin become a zombie?
First thing is first though, how does a pumpkin become a zombie?
Zombie Pumpkins: Some unfortunate pumpkins were ignored during Halloween celebrations of the past; The
one with the mushy spot...the broken stem...the bumpy skin. Considered too ugly to be turned into
jack-o-lanterns, you mercilessly left them to rot on their vines. They haven't forgotten. Each Halloween, the
Zombie Pumpkins rise from the pumpkin patch to seek their bloody justice. They roll the Earth in search of victims,
with one desire: to take back Halloween!
one with the mushy spot...the broken stem...the bumpy skin. Considered too ugly to be turned into
jack-o-lanterns, you mercilessly left them to rot on their vines. They haven't forgotten. Each Halloween, the
Zombie Pumpkins rise from the pumpkin patch to seek their bloody justice. They roll the Earth in search of victims,
with one desire: to take back Halloween!
Beyond the Dark Horizon: The “Ballad of the Zombie
Pumpkins” poem on your site is very creative and crafty; did
you write it?
Pumpkins” poem on your site is very creative and crafty; did
you write it?
Zombie Pumpkins: I did. In fact I’ve been writing that poem
for the last few years. Each Halloween season I add another
verse or two, to coincide with the site’s theme for that year.
And this season the poem has actually been turned into a
song, with music composed by Dark Asylum. MP3 available
for download on the website. www.zombiepumpkins.com
for the last few years. Each Halloween season I add another
verse or two, to coincide with the site’s theme for that year.
And this season the poem has actually been turned into a
song, with music composed by Dark Asylum. MP3 available
for download on the website. www.zombiepumpkins.com
Beyond the Dark Horizon: Zombie Pumpkins has been
around for a few years now. Tell us about your business, how
Zombie Pumpkins first started and took off.
around for a few years now. Tell us about your business, how
Zombie Pumpkins first started and took off.
Zombie Pumpkins: It was 2002; I made my first few pumpkin patterns available for download on a personal
website. It was just for fun, but it didn’t take long for people to start finding them and begging for more. Armed
with the knowledge that there’s an audience for this sort of thing, I felt that the pumpkins demanded their own
dedicated site.
website. It was just for fun, but it didn’t take long for people to start finding them and begging for more. Armed
with the knowledge that there’s an audience for this sort of thing, I felt that the pumpkins demanded their own
dedicated site.
I modeled the theme after the dramatic movie posters for the B-movie horror flicks of decades past. Since then,
the site has grown and mutated faster than I could have imagined, with thousands of loyal pumpkin heads from all
corners of the globe.
the site has grown and mutated faster than I could have imagined, with thousands of loyal pumpkin heads from all
corners of the globe.
Beyond the Dark Horizon: October 1st marked the 40 year anniversary for George Romero’s “Night of the
Living Dead.” What are your thoughts on this iconic film?
Living Dead.” What are your thoughts on this iconic film?
Zombie Pumpkins: It might seem a little dated today, but I imagine it pushed some boundaries of traditional
gender, age and race roles. You have to respect what it did for the horror genre… especially zombie films.
Before this movie, most people didn’t know that you had to aim for the head if you wanted take down a ghoul!
Besides such valuable education, it gave us some great quotes. “Yeah, they’re dead… they’re all messed up.”
gender, age and race roles. You have to respect what it did for the horror genre… especially zombie films.
Before this movie, most people didn’t know that you had to aim for the head if you wanted take down a ghoul!
Besides such valuable education, it gave us some great quotes. “Yeah, they’re dead… they’re all messed up.”
Beyond the Dark Horizon: This cult film also inspired the name of this year’s site, “Night of the Zombie
Pumpkins”. Tell us what’s going on with the Zombie Pumpkins and this particular theme.
Pumpkins”. Tell us what’s going on with the Zombie Pumpkins and this particular theme.
Zombie Pumpkins: My site has always been inspired by horror classics. With NOTLD’s 40th anniversary this
year, it seemed like the perfect season to use “Night…” in my title. On October 1st, I released a Karen Cooper
carving pattern (the zombie girl and literal poster child, from the film). And the site itself was given a nocturnal
makeover, with cool blues and greens, glowing moonlight, and a cemetery login area where users are asked to
“Dig in!”
year, it seemed like the perfect season to use “Night…” in my title. On October 1st, I released a Karen Cooper
carving pattern (the zombie girl and literal poster child, from the film). And the site itself was given a nocturnal
makeover, with cool blues and greens, glowing moonlight, and a cemetery login area where users are asked to
“Dig in!”
Beyond the Dark Horizon: Enlighten us with some history on pumpkin carving.
Zombie Pumpkins: The consensus is that the tradition began in Ireland, and is based on the legend of Stingy
Jack. Jack was a deceitful man who tricked the Devil on more than one occasion. When he died, he wasn’t
allowed into Heaven or Hell, and had to wander the dark netherworld with only a carved out turnip as a lantern.
Jack. Jack was a deceitful man who tricked the Devil on more than one occasion. When he died, he wasn’t
allowed into Heaven or Hell, and had to wander the dark netherworld with only a carved out turnip as a lantern.
So the tradition was born to hollow out such veggies on All Hallow’s Eve, to scare away wandering spirits. And
things really took off when immigrants came to America and discovered pumpkins - a hollow fruit that seems tailor
made to be a grinning jack o’ lantern.
things really took off when immigrants came to America and discovered pumpkins - a hollow fruit that seems tailor
made to be a grinning jack o’ lantern.
Beyond the Dark Horizon: Halloween is obviously your busiest time of year. With all the stencil requests,
running the site and business; are you able to enjoy the actual Halloween holiday?
running the site and business; are you able to enjoy the actual Halloween holiday?
Zombie Pumpkins: That is the tricky part. Fortunately, I love what I do, so even when I’m “working” it’s still
playtime for me. Things can get hectic, but I’ve designed the website to be self-sufficient enough that I can
sometimes escape briefly for a horror movie, haunted attraction, or costume party.
playtime for me. Things can get hectic, but I’ve designed the website to be self-sufficient enough that I can
sometimes escape briefly for a horror movie, haunted attraction, or costume party.
Beyond the Dark Horizon: What were some of the strangest stencil requests that you have received up to
date?
date?
Zombie Pumpkins: I’ve gotten requests for plenty of the American Idols, as well as Donny Osmond, Paris Hilton,
and Dr. Phil. None of which really fit the Halloween theme, but you could argue that they would be pretty scary on
a pumpkin!
and Dr. Phil. None of which really fit the Halloween theme, but you could argue that they would be pretty scary on
a pumpkin!
Beyond the Dark Horizon: I’m amazed at the variety and
amount of stencils you have available for pumpkin carving.
How do you go about creating these stencils? On average,
how long does it take to create a stencil?
amount of stencils you have available for pumpkin carving.
How do you go about creating these stencils? On average,
how long does it take to create a stencil?
Zombie Pumpkins: I pay attention to the requests I receive,
and try to choose subject matter that I know will be popular.
Any of the traditional spooky monsters are usually a hit. A lot
of the designs come from my imagination, but when creating
a stencil of a recognizable character, I’ll seek out some good
reference photos. But even then, it’s not a simple matter of
tracing the face. There’s a bit of an art and science to
stylizing the image so that the eventual carving will be
structurally sound. A simpler pattern might take me 30
minutes, but if I’m being a perfectionist with a more
and try to choose subject matter that I know will be popular.
Any of the traditional spooky monsters are usually a hit. A lot
of the designs come from my imagination, but when creating
a stencil of a recognizable character, I’ll seek out some good
reference photos. But even then, it’s not a simple matter of
tracing the face. There’s a bit of an art and science to
stylizing the image so that the eventual carving will be
structurally sound. A simpler pattern might take me 30
minutes, but if I’m being a perfectionist with a more
Beyond the Dark Horizon: It’s great to see that you have a gallery of stencils specifically for us metal heads.
Tell us about this collection.
Tell us about this collection.
Zombie Pumpkins: A lot of metal bands lend themselves perfectly to Halloween. For my selection of “Rock
Gods”, I tend to focus on stencils of classics that are widely recognized. Whether or not you’re a fan of their
music, there’s no denying that artists like Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper, KISS, The Misfits and
Danzig were meant to be on pumpkins.
Gods”, I tend to focus on stencils of classics that are widely recognized. Whether or not you’re a fan of their
music, there’s no denying that artists like Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper, KISS, The Misfits and
Danzig were meant to be on pumpkins.
Beyond the Dark Horizon: There are tons of pumpkins carving kits out on the market. What type of tools do
you recommend we use? Any tips?
you recommend we use? Any tips?
Zombie Pumpkins: If you want to go beyond the traditional triangle eyes and use a stencil, you’ll need some
sort of carving tool that looks like a mini saw. Plastic handled kits are available in any store that sells Halloween
items. But if you want something more durable (and just plain cooler looking) I offer a wood handled “Pro
Pumpkin Carving Tool” on my site. Another unique gadget is the “Pumpkin Gutter” which attaches to the end of a
drill and makes quick work of the messy gutting step. As for other tricks, I have a whole section of Terrifying Tips
that should offer some enlightening ideas to even experienced pumpkin carvers.
www.zombiepumpkins.com/tips.php
sort of carving tool that looks like a mini saw. Plastic handled kits are available in any store that sells Halloween
items. But if you want something more durable (and just plain cooler looking) I offer a wood handled “Pro
Pumpkin Carving Tool” on my site. Another unique gadget is the “Pumpkin Gutter” which attaches to the end of a
drill and makes quick work of the messy gutting step. As for other tricks, I have a whole section of Terrifying Tips
that should offer some enlightening ideas to even experienced pumpkin carvers.
www.zombiepumpkins.com/tips.php
Beyond the Dark Horizon: Zombie Pumpkins hosts an annual pumpkin carving contest. Tell us more about the
contest and what you look for in a winning zombie pumpkin?
contest and what you look for in a winning zombie pumpkin?
Zombie Pumpkins: For the chance to win some prizes (and just to show off their monsterpieces) users submit
photos of their best carvings. I look for things like crisp cuts, moody lighting, clear photography, creative design
choices, spooky surroundings, quantity of carvings, and impressive size (big or small). There are even prizes for
best costume/carving pairing, and best carving by a kid (have to get them hooked young!).
photos of their best carvings. I look for things like crisp cuts, moody lighting, clear photography, creative design
choices, spooky surroundings, quantity of carvings, and impressive size (big or small). There are even prizes for
best costume/carving pairing, and best carving by a kid (have to get them hooked young!).
Beyond the Dark Horizon: What’s the most valuable lesson you have learned since launching the Zombie
Pumpkin business?
Pumpkin business?
Zombie Pumpkins: Every year there are surprises; some good, some bad. But it’s all been a great learning
process, and things just get better every year. I guess the biggest overall lesson is to plan ahead. Design early,
code early, stock up on merchandise early. The more I can get ready ahead of time, the more availability I’ll have
to tackle any surprises. Or better yet, more time to simply enjoy Halloween. Everyone always asks me, “What do
you do the rest of the year?” My usual response is, “Start planning for NEXT Halloween!”
process, and things just get better every year. I guess the biggest overall lesson is to plan ahead. Design early,
code early, stock up on merchandise early. The more I can get ready ahead of time, the more availability I’ll have
to tackle any surprises. Or better yet, more time to simply enjoy Halloween. Everyone always asks me, “What do
you do the rest of the year?” My usual response is, “Start planning for NEXT Halloween!”
Beyond the Dark Horizon: Do you have any other plans for Zombie Pumpkins in the near future?
Zombie Pumpkins: Oh, plenty. But most of the plans are locked away in my underground laboratory, labeled
“Top Secret.” The Zombie Pumpkins’ vines stretch out in all directions, so you can expect to see plenty of new
content further down the path. I aim to make the site your one-stop haunted home for everything pumpkin
carving. A fun place for Halloweenies to interact with each other and spread the panic of the Zombie Pumpkins!
“Top Secret.” The Zombie Pumpkins’ vines stretch out in all directions, so you can expect to see plenty of new
content further down the path. I aim to make the site your one-stop haunted home for everything pumpkin
carving. A fun place for Halloweenies to interact with each other and spread the panic of the Zombie Pumpkins!
Beyond the Dark Horizon: Here’s a corny scenario for ya: If zombie pumpkins and killer tomatoes were to meet,
what would be the ending result?
what would be the ending result?
Zombie Pumpkins: I imagine you’d have most of the
ingredients for a tasty soup! But in reality, a zombie pumpkin
would eat a killer tomato whole and spit out the seeds. A zombie
pumpkin can’t be stopped, it can’t be killed, it can’t be turned
into pumpkin pie!
ingredients for a tasty soup! But in reality, a zombie pumpkin
would eat a killer tomato whole and spit out the seeds. A zombie
pumpkin can’t be stopped, it can’t be killed, it can’t be turned
into pumpkin pie!
Beyond the Dark Horizon: Well, this about closes our
interview. It’s been interesting. Do you have any final comments
for our readers?
interview. It’s been interesting. Do you have any final comments
for our readers?
Zombie Pumpkins: I hope your readers put the pumpkin
designs to good use, receiving plenty of cheers on Halloween
night. Carve carefully, don’t spill too much blood, and let me
know if you have any suggestions for future stencils. I aim to
please!
designs to good use, receiving plenty of cheers on Halloween
night. Carve carefully, don’t spill too much blood, and let me
know if you have any suggestions for future stencils. I aim to
please!
complicated design, I might work on the stencil for a few hours.