Okay, here is the picture I took special for the Waukegan Public Library's Ray Bradbury Creative Contest. I chose this angle, even though there are things such as the sea monster which look better from other angles, because it was the only way to get as much as possible of the items on both sides of the statue, as well as the flowers, into one picture (they wanted only
one) and avoid the gruesome display of the neighbors' house which was accomplished before only by photographing in the dark.
Here is my accompanying entry, which better be good enough. If not, too bad.
"My entry, entitled 'Ray Bradbury Tribute Sculpture,' reflects how Ray Bradbury has influenced my life in every way and at every level since discovering his work at age 13. The main figure is of a little boy much resembling Ray around the age of six, looking into a jar of fireflies. It is solar lighted and glows at night. It's so inspiring to see Ray surrounded by his many loves and influences and the ideas which arose from them taking shape through him. The setting employs driftwood suggestive of a sea monster rising from the base, ending in a Halloween Tree, with many levels in between. The figures depict characters and concepts from many of Bradbury's stories, with light, dark, science fiction, fantasy, and Weird Tales represented. The yellow flowers are calendula and Big Bang Galaxy Coreopsis, representing dandelions. (Behind are some huge yellow dandelion-like flowers but I don't know their names and they've gone past.) Many items I already liked, but have learned to love the more due to their association with and influence on Bradbury. I started assembling this the same month Ray left us, needing some way to express his permanent impact on my every perception. It is only fitting to have a monument to him which is the first thing I see on entering, leaving, or looking into my yard."
Please continue.