The artist as vampire
Writers of the Romantic era often used “the artist as vampire” theme. Edgar Allan Poe’s The Oval Portrait and Henry James’ The Sacred Fount both depict artists consuming people as material for their art. James speculates that in certain relationships, especially between those of the opposite sex, there is an energy exchange.
Initially vitality flows between the partners, but eventually the stronger member takes control until the relationship becomes vampiric. We can see this clearly in many Hollywood marriages, but it is just as common in the average American household.
Many celebrities also had symbiotic relationships with artistically frustrated mothers. Certainly this was true of stars such as Rose Lee and Judy Garland.
Bernard Shaw described the “true artist” as “half vivisector, half-vampire.” Perhaps for the artist, those best loved are always grist for his mill. The artist sips at the Sacred Fount.
Jim Morrison, Elvis Presley or Marilyn Monroe are some of the artists that may have been “possessed” by the vampire archetype. The progressive decay of their personal lives illustrate how the shadow/vampire can gradually overcome the other aspects of the personality.