As Halloween approaches, many people will be thinking about carving a pumpkin.  However, others will bypass that messy process and simply buy a pumpkin that is painted. 

Yes, there are pumpkin artists.  Paul Warner, of Erie, has been doing that job at Mason Farms on Peninsula Drive for almost 30 years.  Paul is a former Marine who answered an ad in 1992. He has been enjoying his Halloween Season job ever since.

Paul’s work is very popular.  The pumpkins he paints in the morning will most likely be sold by mid-afternoon. Paul used to take about 50 pumpkins home each day and paint them.  He now lives at Erie's Soldiers’ and Sailors’ home and paints the orange orbs on the Mason Farms property while sitting in his wheelchair. He now averages about 20 pumpkins a day but still loves his work.

"To whom talent is given, much will be expected.  Like, you can do this.  You should take advantage of it,” he said.

Paul has painted hundreds of designs on pumpkins over the years. The amazing thing is the best seller remains the same goofy face he drew when he auditioned for the job.

The second best seller? 

"Fake Scary Monster,” says Paul.   

While various versions of the jack o' lantern face sell off the shelves. Paul's other works of art are also popular.  Halloween, of course, coincides with football season and many Mason Farms customers are Steeler fans. 

"I'll do a rough map of the state.  I'll show the lake shore..Erie. Down here (on the pumpkin) I'll write 'Sixburgh' and people get it,” says Paul.

Cleveland fans are not left out.  The color of the pumpkin makes Paul's artwork a thing Browns fans want to buy.

"I'll do ‘Who Let The Dogs Out.’  I'll do ‘Quarterback= Dawg Food.’  Then I'll list some of their better players over the years."  

The Halloween season is almost over and the pumpkin art has created a lot of smiles from customers, especially from children.  But, Paul will be back for his 30th season next year…doing the job he loves.

"The overall thing is that it's a lot of fun, they pay me, and I watch the kids’ reaction.”