Where should I start? I guess I'll give a little history lesson first. I'm not sure if I'm the first person to ever stencil a pumpkin, I think Picasso might have beat me to it, but a couple of years ago I was lazy (actually I'm still lazy but thats besides the point) and did not feel like carving or cleaning up pumpkin guts so I decided to do something different.

I had just gotten into stenciling at the suggestion of my brother a few months prior to Halloween. I had to use what I had available to me in my garage because I didn't want to go out and buy a bunch of new paint unless I really needed it. All I was able to find was black and white primer.

So I did two important things; I found an appropriate design for the occasion and I made sure that it fit the color scheme.

The first year that I stenciled on a pumpkin I decided to use my black suit Spider-Man stencil...perfect for Halloween because so many snot-nosed kids go door to door as the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.

This year I added gray primer to the arsenal and was able to use my SHOOT THE BIRD stencil. I know orange doesn't match well with black, white and gray but its what I use on all my work. This design was appropriate this year because I was not in the Halloween spirit so it accurately expressed my sentiment for the occasion.

Here is a list of instructions and suggestions on how to stencil a pumpkin.

1. PICK A DESIGN: I like to come up with a new one each time rather than pick from my previous works because its somewhat of a challenge.

2. FIND THE RIGHT PUMPKIN: A pumpkin is not a wall as you might have noticed, so it is best to find the most perfectly deformed pumpkin possible. Try to find one that is almost normal but with at least one flat surface with enough space to do your design justice.

3. THE PAPER: Once you pick the design and find the right pumpkin it is best to draw or print it out on a flexible paper like computer or construction paper so that you can easily form it around any curves on the pumpkins surface.

4. CUT AND APPLY: Depending on how many layers you have you'll need to cut and apply them to the pumpkin just as you would with any other stencil to a regular surface. In order to get the paper to fit as neatly as possible I use tape in multiple places (corners, edges, under paper on parts that stick up, etc.). I also make SMALL cuts in the necessary places on the edges of the paper in order to help it mold to the shape of the surface, then once it fits tape it down.

5. SPRAY: It is important not to drip if possible when applying the top layers because it is so hard to line up the layers multiple times on such an odd surface. Its best to take your time and get it right the first time if you can. If you mess up and want to start over wait until it dries and you should be able to make the paint flake off by rubbing it or getting it wet.

6. DISPLAY: Since you did not have to cut the pumpkin you will be able to enjoy it longer. You might want to put a light around it so people can see it since there is no candle inside. You can display your art for several months longer, especially if your a fan of leaving your X-mas lights up until June.

7. DON'T FORGET: It is still a stencil event though it is on a pumpkin so work on it just as you would any other stencil. The only major differences are the surface area your working on and the types of materials and tricks you might use.

8. REMEMBER ME: If I start to see this pumpkin stencil thing explode on the internet or it totally replaces pumpkin carving as a tradition i will be totally pissed if i don't get some recognition. I know where you all live and what you did last summer so beware!!!

9. START THE TREND NOW!!!

This is THE PUMPKIN STENCIL MANIFESTO.

-PATILLAC