Russ Leno’s mastery of pumpkin carving started as a way to entertain friends.
“Instead of just partying all the time, we would sit down and start carving,” Leno recalled. He’s taking that post-retirement hobby from his home in Olympia, Washington, to various fairs across the country.
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Leno carves about two pumpkins a day for his run at the Big Fresno Fair, turning the Halloween fruit (yes, it is a fruit) into art.
Carving Big Pumpkins
“Instead of just partying all the time, we would sit down and start carving.” — Pumpkin carver Russ Leno
“I just like carving,” Leno answers about why he does it.
On this day, Leno used his tools to sculpt a scene of a duck landing in a pond. He says it fits the fair’s theme: “From the Sierra to the Sea.”
Leno likes to use large pumpkins, about 100 pounds. On the weekends, he carves massive gourds, spending both days working on a 500-pound or greater pumpkin.
He taught himself how to carve and sometimes uses pictures to inspire his creations. Other times, his designs come in dreams.
Creating the Art
Preparation is the key.
“You do a lot better carvings. I don’t try to wing it all the time,” Leno said.
Leno uses just four tools — a fillet knife, two clay molding tools, and a scraper. He usually skips a traditional step by not hollowing out the pumpkins.
While pumpkin carving isn’t quite a second career for the former engineer, he gets by.
“It pays my taxes,” Leno jokes.
His creations can go for $125-$700. The only downside is the art is temporary — lasting for about three days.
Curiosity drives David Taub.
The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices.
Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read.
Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man).
Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl.
When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games.
Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue!
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