I finished my vampire painting and called it "Dark Visions." It was great fun to paint, although I felt a little rusty as I haven't painted in a while. I'm going to try not to have such big gaps between paintings any more. It's just not good for me as an artist.

I feel like this painting expresses how I feel about the idea of the vampire: he or she enters through your dreams, becomes manifest possibly through shared experiences or feelings, and then pulls you back into his/her world by turning you. The sensual nature of shared blood or blood taken from the victim by force is quite frightening and alluring at the same time. Their power is coveted by humans, I think...One of the reasons vampire lore remains popular. When I read "Carmilla" I was so enchanted by this strange, frightening and sensual story that it has left a lasting impression on me. It was not only beautifully written, but showed the dark thrill of forbidden love and sex in an understated way, which, in this case was so much more powerful.

I think we are also attracted to the vampire because we wish we could command the elements the way they can. Untamable nature--to have the power to tame it is something humans have wanted since the beginning of time. In my painting, the moon and the ravens symbolize female powers and wisdom, respectively. Her hair is painted to look like the wind is blowing and she is painted to look as if she could be part of the sky. In this way she reveals her power over nature.

But her lust for blood will be her undoing, as all evil intentions are stopped by the one stake to the heart that cannot be deflected--Love.