I can totally the reference to grotesque, gargoyle yes ! Which is quite a nice nod, as Buffy's vampire are inspired by them. Though I have trouble getting who the protagonist of the painting is. The posing makes me think of Saint Michael, though the boy as something dark in him. The trident had that idea of devilish nature. I'm quite perplex with this character, which is great because I think that's what a picture is supposed to do, make people think/guess.