YORK, Pa. — It's pumpkin carving season, but sometimes a simple smiling Jack-o-Lantern just doesn't make the cut.
Danny Kissel knows a thing or two about crafting the perfect pumpkin--he's won awards for his creations at events across the country and TV competitions like Food Network's "Halloween Wars: Hayride of Horror" and "Outrageous Pumpkins."
Kissel worked in construction and airbrushing before he ever picked up a pumpkin.
"Sculpting was something--outside of high school--that I had never done," Kissel said. "So I bought some pumpkins, and here we are today."
The artist is entirely self-taught. He was inspired by the Food Network shows he later went on to win, marking a full circle in his carving journey.
Kissel is bringing the circle back around again with another appearance on "Outrageous Pumpkins" this season, this time as an all-star. He and his partner are battling against other pumpkin perfectionists for a $50,000 prize and championship belt.
It's not just in the fall that Kissel breaks out the tools--he does ice, sand and tree stump sculptures throughout the year. The Pennsylvania-based artist has also been making and selling his own carving tools for the past eight years.
Those who want to see Kissel's skills in action can find him at the Shippensburg Pumpkin Festival this weekend. Live carving will be on Saturday.
Anyone who wants to try their own hand at carving may benefit from Kissel's advice: don't cut off the stem, soak the pumpkin in water overnight and carve a small face for your Jack-o-Lantern.
"The smaller the pumpkin face is, the better it will look at nighttime," Kissel said.
He offers more tips for carving a professional pumpkin in the video above--including how to get squirrels to carve your pumpkin for you!