Pumpkin decorating season is officially upon us. That's right, Halloween is on its way and the season's iconic orange gourds are making their debut on a front stoop near you.
Now that the jack o'lanterns have arrived, what are your thoughts? Are you dissatisfied with the creative capabilities of your neighbors? Are you tired of the bland aesthetics that pumpkin carvers have brought to your block? The triangle eyes and crooked smiles are just so...derivative, right?
Well, in anticipation of this year's All Hallow's Eve, we've put together a slideshow of 10 amazing pumpkin designs, sure to satisfy all the fine art fiends out there. Scroll through the slideshow below and take our advice: skip the zombie snarls, vampire fangs and witch warts and don't be afraid to carve your pumpkin in the shape of your favorite artist or painting.
Let us know what clever design you have in store for your squash in the comments section.
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Mona Lisa
Swap out the standard jackolantern grin with an even more iconic smile. Go ahead, be the da Vinci of pumpkin carving.
Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lancastermike/4020583373/in/photostream">fundraz34 / flickr</a>
Edvard Munch
We dare you to think of something scarier than Edvard Munch's "Scream." It's just begging to be carved into your pumpkin.
Credit: <a href="http://snowcitygirl.wordpress.com/about/">SnowGirlCity / Wordpress</a>
Andy Warhol
We imagine Warhol would love to reappropriate your pumpkin with his face.
Credit: <a href="http://demianrepucci.com/2010/11/01/halloween-pumpkin-carving-warhol-self-portrait-fright-wig/">Demian Repucci</a>
Edgar Allen Poe
Why not skip the ghouls and ghost and go straight to the source, by paying homage to Edgar Allen Poe.
Credit: <a href="http://jackraz.deviantart.com/art/The-Poekin-265459460?q=boost%3Apopular%20jackolantern&qo=286">JackRaz / Deviant Art</a>
Vincent Van Gogh
Feeling up to a Halloween challenge? Why not turn your pumpkin into Van Gogh's famous "Starry Night?"
William Shakespeare
The Bard would love to grace your gourde this Halloween.
Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_earl/1564044997/">theoriginalmutant / flickr</a>
Johannes Vermeer
"Girl With a Pearl Earring" makes for a great costume AND a great pumpkin carving idea.
Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scotthei/285017653/">djheimey2001 / flickr</a>
Pablo Picasso
Why not go cubist with your rotund creation?
Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shoeburyness/279719986/in/photostream/">Shoeburyness / flickr</a>
Michelangelo
Fine art meets squash, courtesy of Michelangelo's "David."
Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/norbini/6294305637/">Norbini / flickr</a>
BONUS: Beast Jesus
While it might not be carved, we bet the Beast Jesus design will pop up on more than one pumpkin this Halloween.
Courtesy of The Huffington Post Arts & Culture Team.
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Posted: 10/16/2012 8:21 am EDT