COLUMBUS, Ohio — Carving pumpkins is a Halloween tradition but Gus Smithhisler is taking it to the next level. He's been carving for more than 20 years and earned the nickname 'The Squashcarver.'
Smithhisler is an engineer by trade but every fall, he typically carves about 12-15 giant pumpkins. They average 500-600 pounds.
Smithhisler said it's, “all trial by error. All self-taught."
Zach Hatton and his family grew one of the pumpkins Smithhisler is carving this year.
“They always say there’s three things you need to grow giant pumpkins; you need a good seed, good soil, and good luck,” said Hatton.
Hatton said watching the pumpkin turn into a work of art is a humbling experience. “We put a lot of hard work in this, a lot of hours, as a family and to give it a second life means a lot.”
Smithisler said his favorite part of pumpkin carving is adding "a lot of depth. I like to get the overlapping depth".
Smithheisler can spend hours working on a pumpkin and finds it hard to call it complete.
“I’m never done. I have to be told that my time is up... because I can always keep going and adding detail to it. I love what I do," said Smithhisler. "Once I’m done with it, I’m packed up, I’m still thinking about it on the way home."
During the off season, he carves cheese and other fruits and vegetables.