Day 31 - #WorldWatercolorGroup Carving A Halloween Pumpkin
By Charlie

Trick Or Treat

Written by Charlie O'Shields

So it’s Halloween if you live in a place that observes it, and here in the States children everywhere will be dressing up in costume and going door to door getting treats. I loved this time of year as a kid, but even better than eating candy was the chance to help with the carving of the jack-0′-lantern. One year, I was particularly proud of our little carved face on our pumpkin, only to find it had met a terrible fate. At some point in the night, the tricks began and my little pumpkin was smashed into oblivion in the middle of the street. I was really upset at the time. It had been sitting there for a couple of weeks and was like a member of the family. I think I had even named it, but I can’t remember which name I chose. Either way, it was a sad end for poor whats-his-name and I came inside to inform my mother that a murder had been committed.

I’m not sure why someone would find smashing pumpkins a fun sport, but it was the fate of many pumpkins on my block that year. The day after Halloween, the once quiet street had been turned into the scene of a pumpkin massacre. It was rather gruesome really. Most of the kids simply thought it was kind of cool and well, who cared anyway, Halloween was over now and they had their candy to worry about now. But it wasn’t just a pumpkin to me. It was a piece of art. I had worked hard creating the perfect face and crafting my own unique pumpkin personality. When the candle was placed inside and it began to glow, it was like my art had burst to life. The whole process was so magical. Coming out to find my masterpiece had been unceremoniously crushed into the pavement was a rather painful experience and one I’ve never forgotten.

Additionally, I was just a little kid and Halloween was a spooky occasion. I was convinced that the ghost of whats-his-name would return to seek his vengeance. It wasn’t quite clear to me just how he would get back at his attackers since he was just a head, but I was certain he was smart enough to find a way. If nothing else, a floating apparition of a pumpkin head would at least give those hooligans a good fright, I thought. Each year on Halloween night, the horrible person and their accomplices would be visited by the glowing head of whats-his-name. A scary and contorted floating head, pieced back together, eyes glowing brightly, and mad as hell. Of course, the mourning time of children is impressively short and I was quickly distracted by the large bag of candy sitting on my bed. All was not lost. It was still going be a very happy Halloween.

Join us for the November Doodlewash Adventure: A Celebration Of Food,
Click Here to Learn More!

About the Doodlewash

Sennelier L’Aquarelle:  Indian Yellow, Red Orange, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Deep, and Payne’s Grey. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon with black ink in a little red cloth hardbound l’aquarelle journal I found in a Paris shop.
 Day 31 - #WorldWatercolorGroup Carving A Halloween Pumpkin

Charlie O'Shields

Creator of Doodlewash, founder of World Watercolor Month (July), World Watercolor Group, and host of the Sketching Stuff Podcast. Sharing watercolor illustrations and stories while proudly featuring talented artists from all over the world!

See author's posts

Recommend0 recommendationsPublished in By Charlie

35 Comments

0 Shares

35 thoughts on “Trick Or Treat”

  5. Your Jack Doodlewash is great even if your story is a bit of a sad memory. Someone should gather all the teenagers the day before Halloween and lock them into a gym with a party just for them and not let them out until November 2 or so. They spoil the holiday for so many people. I love kids and teens, but you know the teens take it too far – and you know it was teens who smashed your Jack.

    I just realized the celebration gives new meaning to the old nursery rhyme about Jack and Jill… hmmm….

    What does Phillipe think of Halloween? Do they celebrate it in France?

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 Yeah…I really did get over it quick though. Hard to grieve with that much candy around! Hehe They didn’t really celebrate Halloween in France when he was growing up. He carved his first pumpkin 5 years ago when he came to the States! Loved it! Hehe

      Reply

  7. I love this Jack O’lantern and how you describe putting the light in as bringing your art to life. I totally understand the sadness of having a pumpkin smashed. I remember that first year I was allowed to cut open and carve my pumpkin on my own. I was so proud of myself and the Jack O’Lantern I had made. Mine got smashed before Halloween. I was devastated. Good thing Halloween happens every year so I can keep creating every year. Happy Halloween Charlie!!!!

    Reply

  9. I remember dumping my sugar stash on my bed after the BIG night and comparing my “loot” with my sister’s goodies! One time I got a rock wrapped with foil… my mom thought it was so “Charlie Bown” hilarious but I was so disappointed. 😟 Happy Halloween, Charlie!! 🎃🕸👻

    Reply

  14. A smashing pumpkin, Charlie! I hope you had a more eventful Halloween than here – another damp squib with not a peep of a trick or treater or driving vampire; the scariest moment was me reading a true crime story (and that was a coincidence!) Ugh, well aren’t some people dreadful. Smash your own pumpkins, people!

    Reply

    1. hehe! Thanks, Jacob! I knew you’d defend me properly! 😉 But a shame you didn’t get to see a vampire. That’s always the highlight of the season for me. But reality is indeed scarier than fiction, so I’m sure you were properly terrified for the day! Thankfully, we didn’t end up with a pumpkin to smash this year though.

      Reply

Leave Me A Comment!

Discover more from Doodlewash®

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading