Jones, a 1997 graduate of the School of Art and Design at the university was highlighted because his artistic skills have been on display as part of the Food Network’s Halloween Wars airing over the past two months. The finale is Sunday night.
Jones was part of a 3-man team that featured a sugar artist and cake artist. They were pitted against four other teams from across the country to win a monetary grand prize. The show has aired on Sundays.
As part of the Zoom program Jones instructed college President Mark Zupan in carving a ”Frankensteinesque” pumpkin. The hour-long program included friendly banter as well as real pumpkin carving tips. Jones revealed that he seldom uses a carving knife, and instead uses tools commonly wielded by clay sculptors. He told he has been carving pumpkins since he was a child.
Jones’s works are 3-dimensional and carved on the surface of the pumpkin after scraping away the tough outer skin. When the carving is complete, he uses an air brush to highlight the features.
Despite all the work, Jones says the pumpkin artworks only last about two weeks, and that is all right with him.
Jones’s work can be seen at www.giveacarcature.com or by calling 585-307-6682.
