Unbelievable Pumpkin Carvings

In kindergarten, I drew dogs that looked like stick cows. In middle school, I sketched misshaped hearts and oblong peace signs in my journal. My talent as a visual artist has grown little since then.

Consequently, I'm prone to being easily impressed by the artistic skills of others. These carvings by Ray Villafane are truly amazing though. Masterpieces in pumpkin.

Do you suppose he shellacs them so they don't get all mushy and rotten?