You can easily find out all the Double Block winners by logging on to FaceBook. I didn’t want to be redundant, so I was trying to come up with an idea for my next post.  I decided it would be fun just to talk about some of the Double Block sculptures that touched my heart and senses.

The first one is “Tulips for Ronnie” by Ina Timling and Martha Raynolds. I have always loved and looked forward to the scientific sculptures each year from the Science Duo Ina and Ronnie. One year they sculpted a cold virus. They were fun and educational. Sadly, Ronnie perished in a helicopter accident this past year. Ina and her friend, Martha, gave us a wonderful and heartfelt tribute for the Double Block competition of 2024. It was called “Tulips for Ronnie”. The tulip is a symbol of the Netherlands where Ronnie was from. Officially introduced into the Netherlands at the end of the 16th century, Tulips are a classic flower that are  loved by many and  have been attached with the meaning of perfect and deep love. Every tulip season in the Netherlands, tourists flock to the Keukenhof Flower Gardens and Dutch Fields where the tulips and bulbs are on display. Our Double Block Tulips, “Tulips for Ronnie” are certainly a most perfect and beautiful tribute.

So many of the sculptures in this event were full of whimsy. I love ‘Smile” by Brian Connors and Connor Oddo. Can you imagine being a diver and surrounded by hammerhead sharks. The diver looks so calm as he takes the picture of these dangerous fish. “Nevermore”, a tribute to Edgar Allen Poe by Shannon Gerasimchik and Brittny Hughes had me reciting the famous poem to myself. For sheer “cutness” there was James and Robert Stugart’s “Sing With Me” and “Afternoon Snack” by Isaac Rodrigues and Jack Volpe. For its playful and amusing quality I loved “Is There No Privacy” by David Smith and Kevin Starow.

There was something to be admired in every one of the amazing art works. The incredible and delicate look of these jewels is nothing short of breathtaking. Steve Brice’s horse is such a masterpiece. “Only Enemy” by Angelito Baben and Louis Medlock is fierce and so delicate and graceful at the same time. Anton’s tears seem to float. I love the sweeping wave in Dean and Amela’s “Fly Dragon Fly”.

And there are a couple of sculptures I would like explained. They are incredible pieces but I would love to know the story behind them. “Chainsaw Man” by Abby Peterson and Edwin Hutchison, an incredible carving,  has me totally baffled as to its meaning. There must be a story here somewhere. “Killing Time” by Chris Foltz and Ryan Anderson is gorgeous in it’s superb detailing but what is the story here?

And this is why I love Double Block. There is such humor, fantasy, fancifulness, intimacy and inspiration in these beautiful pieces of art. Thank you, all of you, for your love, talent and imagination-and hard work.