Amanda Norman
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History and Mystery Tour Radio Interview
Last Thursday (8th March 2012) I was a guest on Tim Prevett’s History and Mystery radio show and I had so much fun doing the interview and it was a great show. If you love dark, moody music, Gothic and rock, you will enjoy listening to this show and listening to me ramble on about my hatred of twinkling vampires and working with suits. Enough said about that!
I’m so pleased with how the interview went and listening to my friend Tony Longworth’s music get some air play.
Finally, Tim is an excellent host and his show goes live every Thursday 19:00 – 21:00 on Red Shift Radio. For further information click here to visit Red Shift Radio.
Why VAMPIRES Inspire My Work
You may have noticed by now, that I’m a HUGE fan of the vampire, which inspires a lot of my photography and jewellery work, but you maybe asking yourself why?
First Introduction to Vampires
I certainly remember the vampires of Salem’s Lot and Hammer Horror, but I think my very first introduction to a vampire was watching Morticia from the Addams Family and Lily Munster from The Munsters. 
While Morticia had the edge over Lily for being darker, Lily Munster was beautiful and endearing. I preferred watching The Munsters due to the characters and Lily had all of the fascinating qualities that I admire. She was born in 1827 to Sam Dracula and lived in the land of the forest, Transylvania prior to meeting Herman. Childhood was a happy time when The Munsters were on the TV.
Hammer Horror Vampires
As a young teenager, my perspective of vampires changed when I stayed up late to watch Hammer Horror. These vampires, including Christopher Lee as Dracula were damned sexy, but totally forbidden. Their hypnotic gaze and dominating presence commanded your will and if you were lucky, you would get to live out their lifestyle for an eternity unless you were unfortunate enough to come across Mr Van Helsing and his merry men and get be-headed.
A vampire could seduce almost anyone they lusted for and I was hooked. The vampiric world that Hammer Horror created with the help of course from novels written from the likes of Bram Stoker and Sheridan Le Fanu, were totally enthralling. I was mesmerised with the Gothic scenery, mist filled and overgrown graveyards that were old and full of mystery. I still have visions of a lost demented soul, floating through the graveyard to return to her lair with her flimsy see through gown floating behind her. I always wanted the vampire to survive and of course I was caught up in the fantasy of wanting to become one.
My favourite vampire character that Hammer Horror brought to life is Carmilla created by Sheridan Le Fanu.
Hammer Horror created three films based on Carmilla, but my favourite was the second film titled Lust for a Vampire that was made in the year that I was born, 1971. This film was certainly an eye opener to a then very impressionable teenager. I was still a virgin, but I remember wondering if all girls go cross eyed when making love? You might laugh, but I’d never even considered that a woman could make out with another woman until I watched this film, and this was in the days when I never knew Freddie Mercury was gay. I must have been so naive. For those of you who may be wondering what the Hell am I on about, I’ve found the clip on You Tube for you to enjoy.
Sadly, my fantasy world of vampires was rudely awakened with the onslaught of Mr Barlow.
You’ll enjoy Mr Barlow and he’ll enjoy you!
I don’t bloody think so!
Mr Barlow, the hissing bold headed, yellow eyed monster is still THE scariest vampire I’ve ever seen. Him and Mr Straker played by James Mason totally shattered my vampire fantasy. Vampires are afraid of the crucifix, but oh no, not Mr Barlow. He just crushes them with his hand and nothing stops him. If you see a black mass on the floor, suddenly appear and start growing, don’t just stand there and gawp in amazement. Blood run for it!
To read more about my thoughts of Mr Barlow, click here.
Vampire Photography
Below are some of my favourite vampire inspired photography and more can be seen in my galleries by clicking here.
Vampire Jewellery
I do have a range of jewellery that is inspired by my love of vampires and two of my latest necklaces that feature my Gothic horror photography, are featured below. To view all necklaces, rosaries and bracelets click here to visit Gothic Jewellery Box.
Dark Photography from Transylvania
The photographs below were taken on my tour of Transylvania, Romania and it’s still one of the best holidays I’ve ever been on. It’s such a shame that it costs so much to travel these days. Existing photographs from the tour can be found within the galleries, but below are the latest additions, with some being re-edited for a new lease of life. I have over a thousand photographs from the tour, so there are plenty more to come, but for now I hope you enjoy a selection of my favourites. To view the existing galleries, click here.
Dark Side of Life
The following photographs can all be found within the Dark Side gallery, which can be seen by clicking here. The dark side is my interpretation of life through the camera lens and although it’s certainly not morbid, it is dark and fascinating. The hooded statue below just gave me the creeps, but it was beautiful and looked to be made out of wood. This can be found within Peles Castle in Sinaia. Below the hooded statue photograph is the demon face water fountain. I was going to call it a gargoyle, but it’s not carved out of stone, so I don’t think it is one of those.
Above is a photograph of the marble staircase inside the Parliament Palace in Bucharest. I’ve never seen anything like it, but so much marble makes me feel cold.
One of my favourite photographs, which was taken by accident. I was trying to capture the atmosphere of walking up a secret staircase in a very old castle, Bran Castle or Dracula’s Castle as some like to call it due to the possibility that Vlad Dracula could have stayed there. I certainly caught a ghostly image on this photograph, but I can assure you that it’s not a ghost.
Finally, below is a typical village scene in old Transylvania. These types of crosses fascinate me and I need to find out more about them.
Macabre Morti
The photograph below has been added to the Macabre Morti gallery, which can be seen by clicking here.
If I had the money, I would return, especially to Sibiu where the photograph of Mary in front of the stained glass church window was taken.
Gardens of Death
The graveyard photograph below is a typical scene in any graveyard within Transylvania. I like the wooden crosses with extra pieces of wood that form a triangle at the top as it reminds me of olden times and of course scenes in classic horror movies. This headstone photograph can be found within the Gardens of Death gallery, which can be seen by clicking here.
Hic Dragones 2 Day Manchester Monster Convention
On Saturday the 14th April, I will be having a trade stall at the Hic Dragones Manchester Monster Convention at Sachas Hotel, which is a two day event that you can’t afford to miss out on.
It will be all things monsters and horror with talks, panels, Q&A’s, displays from artists, writers and designers. If you’re a horror fan, you need to be there.
Tickets for the full weekend and access to all talks are £10 and more information about the event and who’s attending can be found by clicking here.
I will be selling some of my photography pendants along with other pieces of handmade jewellery, plus I’ll have some signed framed prints for sale. Be sure to come along and say hi to me.
