Somewhere between the pathos of Wagnerian opera, and the lust and agony of a higher plane of Hell, lie the deliciously barbed beauties and brawny beasts of Vebjorn Strommen.

His dark, brooding damsels of distress prowl a desolate landscape in search of victims, not lovers, but who can deny the raw sexuality of a young woman wearing — and wielding — cold steel?

In addition to his masterful painterly works, Mr. Strommen is also driven to produce 3D models of his dreamy demons. Confusingly, these digital sculptures seem both softer and more lethal. Whatever the style, Vebjorn certainly seems the master of the heavy metal hottie.