Gargoyles

 Gargoyles are typically frightening-looking sculptures located near the tops of large, medieval buildings such as cathedrals or castles.

A gargoyle is a long, sculpted piece that extends out to serve as a rain spout.  The long form carries water away from the side of the building which prevents water from eroding its stones and mortar.

Multiple gargoyles spaced around the building’s edges helped to divide the flow of rainwater.

Gargoyles are often a fantasy-type creature, a scary animal, an ugly face, or a mythical being. ​

​Besides protecting a building’s walls from water, gargoyles were designed to scare away evil and to protect the building.  That’s why they were given scary or dangerous appearances.

Sculptures on buildings that look like gargoyles but don’t serve as a water gutter are correctly known as grotesques or chimeras.  Now days, they’re usually referred to as gargoyles, too. 

Not all gargoyles or grotesques are from long ago days.  An abbey in Scotland has a sculpture of the creature from the Alien movies.  The National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. sports a Darth Vader.

Pumpkin Carving Art

Carving a pumpkin into a jack-o-lantern is a fun Halloween tradition. Pumpkin carving is also an art.  

from Extreme Pumpkin Carving book by Vic Hood and Jack A. Williams

Carved by Ray Villafane

carved by Ray Villafane

Carved by Ray Villafane

Ray Villafane carving

Ray Villafane is an artist based in Arizona who is known for his pumpkin carvings.  He also sculpts action figures and collectibles, sand and snow.

Ray Villafane, Extreme Pumpkin Carver (2:46 min.)

Jon Neill creates amazing pumpkin carvings and food art displays.  Jon Neill’s other work as an artist has included creature and costume creation for television and movies, and sculpting for museums and the toy industry.

Jon Neill Halloween Pumpkin Carving (5:56 min.)

Video - Halloween (All About the Holidays) (1:00 min.)