SAINT VLADIMIR OF KIEV

In 1988 the Russian Community of Brisbane wished to commemorate the Millennium of the introduction of Christian culture into Russia, and so they commissioned a lifesized bronze statue of St Vladimir for the University of Queensland.  Today when I passed Vlad I noticed what a cheerful  smile the sculptor has given him.  He stands under a large fig tree  holding the Russian Double cross and holding his arms out in welcome. Not at all the image of an ancient saint. 
Being curious I consulted Wikipedia, which tells me that  Vlad was originally a pagan prince of Novgorod around 980AD, who had to fight to regain his kingdom from a fratricidal brother. He sent envoys to the East to enquire about the religions there, Judaism, Mohammedanism, Christianity and Byzantine Orthodoxy. Christianity appealed the most, so he converted and brought Christianity to Russia. 

Extra image is of a rose on which I was practising painting a blur on a texture.  Not sure that I've got it yet.