An impressive array of artists has joined forces in an eye-popping charity auction organized by Gary Baseman and the Corey Helford Gallery in Culver City, California.

The twist: All of the vibrant, often hilarious, and consistently subversive works in the "Charity by Numbers" auction are based on utterly familiar and creepily sentimental paint-by-number schemes.

A young Tom Sawyer-esque boy fishing off a dock with his dog at his side transforms into a weeping, charcoal-faced freak. His dog -- of course! -- sprouts a human skull topped by a crown. (Thanks, Fred Stonehouse.)

Tiffany Liu populates a familiar country scene (red barn, check; gentle winter snow, check) with a series of disturbingly sweet creatures -- including a creepy penguin in a tree, and bikini-clad girls diving into an icy pond.

In David Hochbaum's piece, an enormous square-rigged vessel is accosted by a giant octopus.

A posing poodle gets a pair of shades, a K-Fed medallion and a hat that declares the wearer "White Trash," courtesy of Jason Maloney.

Hey, if the collar fits ?

Visit the Helford Gallery site for more from one of the trippiest art tours imaginable. Auction proceeds will benefit The Alliance for Children's Rights.

-- LIZ McDANIEL