Lady of the Land

I sometimes find myself drawn inside the second hand shops in my village.  I usually try to resist, as I invariably come out with something old and glittery that I don't really need.  I have occasionally however found some real beauties, and today was such a day. 

She called me inside and there she was, in all her turquoise and opalescent glory.  I like to think of her as folk art, but everyone else seems to think she is gaudy tat, which both she and I find most offensive. 

I tried to resist, as I thought she was rather overpriced, and walked out of the shop once, only to be drawn back again.  You see, I knew she would be perfect as a wall ornament on Psychadelic Shack.  Immediately, I recognised her as the angelic personification of my Land.  Not only that, she has also generously gathered up the folds of her gown into a most useful bird waterer.  The trouble is, it doesn't actually hold water at the moment. All she needs is an interior waterproof coating, with which I can easily provide her.

I love the way the artist has styled the garment around her arms to suggest the presence of a heavenly zephyr.  How wonderful to be bourne up by nothing more than your spiritual grace.  She has no need to worry about her carbon footprint at all. 

I am still slightly puzzled over what deity she is supposed to represent.  She has the appearance of a Catholic finger dipper thing, but is certainly not the Virgin Mary.  She reminds me of Botticelli's Venus, which made me wonder if she was a Theosophical representation of some kind. I did some research, but she doesn't resemble the traditional Theosophical depiction of Lady Venus. 

I am still in two minds about whether to plant viola heartsease in her gown instead of waterproofing it.  I can imagine they would look very pretty trailing down around her.  I know how earth stains porous ceramic though, so if I did that there would be no going back. 

My parents' expressions of horror when I unwrapped her from her modest brown paper packaging reminded me of the stylised and exaggerated mannerisms favoured in the performance of Greek tragedies.  It's all good - if that is the average response, she will certainly act as a deterrant to intruders.