(Clockwise from top left: Striation 43 by Elvia Perrin; Scalloped Line Drawing by Missouri Bend Musings - Patti Roberts-Pizzuto; On the Way by Valeria Kondor; and "Moon-faced Margalo" by Tricia Scott.)

Instant Art Collection

(Clockwise from top left: "Lost Little One" by Rushton Images; "Silhouette of Cypress" by Windy Lane Studio - Kai Samuels-Davis; "Wait for Me" by BokehEverAfter - Julie Parker-Garza; and "Paths 1" by Clara Lieu.)

Happy Halloween! In honor of the occasion, I thought I'd post a spooky collection this week. Each of these pieces is quite beautiful on its own and not necessarily sinister. But when you place them all together, they definitely take on a macabre mood (in a really good way), don't you think?

Also, I just wanted to say thank you to all the sweet folks who got in touch after Hurricane Sandy. It was definitely scary for a couple of days, but thankfully, we are fine and didn't have any damage. There were a lot of trees down in our area and flooding, so we feel very lucky. xo, Mary

(Clockwise from top left: Chance Encounter by Stasia Burrington; "The Grid" by Victoria English Charm; "Hives in Glass, On the Lava Rock" by polarplaces - Karina Gomez; "Vegetarian Dino" by milkandhoney05.)

Ever fancy a chance encounter with a veggie dino and some astronauts in a geodesic dome in a forest in space with twinkly lights/stars/fireflies? You did!?! Well, this is the art collection for you! ;)

Seriously though, don't these pieces just somehow fit together? I think they could spark endless daydreams and imaginative tales...and might be dangerous if placed too near my work desk, where the working is supposed to happen but frequently doesn't.

To see other Instant Art Collections, click here.

(Clockwise from top left: "Birds" by Dante Terzigni; "bundle of sticks" by olive dear; "Girl: Fall" by Weinberg Design - James Weinberg; and "Seed Head II" by littleprintpress - Emma Lawrenson.)

When most people think about pattern, they probably think of textile arts, fabrics, wallpaper, that sort of thing. But patterns pop up in all art forms, probably most notably in printmaking, ceramics, and in recent years, digital arts. The four artists above all use pattern in different ways to create a balanced composition.

I love that the criss-crossed lines in the background of James Weinberg's portrait echo the girl's windswept hair, suggesting a brisk fall day with leaves fluttering about. There's movement all around the print, and the repeating lines move your eye so that it doesn't quite have a chance to rest for long. My favorite part, and I'm not quite sure why, is that one dark leaf behind her head. Again, the pattern on the leaf is repeated in her hat and coat.

In olive dear's print, it only takes a few angled black lines and a field of green to suggest a forest perhaps, or literally just a "bundle of sticks"; it's a simple design that begs to be hung in a series with other prints. Daniel Terzigni's print employs an all-over composition, which is probably what most people associate with pattern. The birds are all different but have repeating colors and shapes (the half-moons that make up their wings or bellies and the triangles that form their tail feathers). Emma Lawrenson's abstract seed print also makes use of repeating colors and shapes, this time centered in the frame, which gives weight and significance to the simple forms.

All of the prints share a similar color palette of rust, orange, mustard, olive, or teal combined with neutrals...colors that make me think of fall, which I'm craving lately. And when you put these prints together, they have that kind of retro vibe that I love.

What do you think? Anyone as crazy for pattern as I am?