Mike Valladao celebrates 40 years of pumpkin carving artistry

Mike Valladao, a systems engineer known by his alter ego “Farmer Mike,” is celebrating 40 years of intricate pumpkin carving. Often referred to as the “Picasso of Pumpkin Carvers,” Valladao creates detailed sculptures of ghoulish faces, landscapes, and pop culture figures such as Yoda and Charlie Brown.

Valladao recently showcased his skills at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival in California. He began his hobby in the mid-1980s in San Jose after growing massive gourds and seeking a creative use for them. Despite having no formal artistic training, he approaches carving with an engineering mindset, building his designs “one layer at a time.”

His work has gained national recognition, leading to requests from across the United States. While he has previously grown pumpkins weighing up to 800 pounds, he does not participate in giant pumpkin weigh-off contests, focusing instead on the artistry of the carvings.