Artist

"Stefania Russo (formerly, aka LadyFanhir) self-taught Italian traditional Fantasy/Gothic artist, creates expressive and highly sensual art that combines pain, hunger, lust and strength" - The WallBreakers

Behind the name Illusorya (also known as LadyFanhir), you will find Stefania Russo. Self-taught, I define myself as an indie traditional artist. Born in 1984, settled in the countryside of North-West Italy, I graduated as a fashion designer spending most of my life in the field of antique furniture restoration.
As a self-defense, from the first signs of a future and consolidated mental and physical collapse, I abandoned previous experiences focusing on Art. Drawing inspiration from my own and other people's existences, I transpose fragments of human life, fragility and resilience through the most elegant and dreamlike form of Dark Grotesque.

The name Illusorya , was born from the concept of creating seductive works apparently simple at first sight but filled with fine symbolic details giving space to a deceptive vision , such as the human mind and its masks.
“Motivation” is the only academic teacher, leading me to portray against the canonical artistic rule of “beautiful” encouraging to welcome the face of humanity; I mainly represent the female gender, as well as portraits of queer and androgynous people.
My works are mostly made "alla prima" and on formats that do not exceed 30x40cm, preferring watercolours, tools with an anarchic mood like these emotional visions.

I currently work as an independent artist, painting personal projects or on commission . My works have been exhibited in group shows in galleries overseas, and published in several international publications and projects. I also regularly participate in fairs and markets.
In 2016, together with the Swedish artist Sandra Hultsved, I founded Memento Tea Gallery dedicated to the genre Dark & Grotesque, where a large number of national and international painters and sculptors participated in the project. Memento Tea Gallery is currently on hiatus for logistical reasons.
I recently opened my atelier to the public , giving people the opportunity to visit and purchase my creations in person.
Freedom is embracing your own fragility and resilience.
Freedom is feeling your heart safe, like within the welcoming walls of your home.
Freedom is breaking the chains of prejudice and contemplating all this imprinted forever on canvas, in a dance of dreaminess and sensuality, colors and shapes.
Collapsible content
Shows & Events • 2025 -2024
2025
- TBA
- Group show: "Dark Art Show" Penumbra 10th Anniversary, Curio Art Gallery. Lisboa, PORTUGAL. Featuring artworks: "The Cello Andante ƒ
Lamento - Romance - Elegy" series - Group show: "Sherotica", Galley X Dublin, IRELAND. Featuring artwork: "That mellifluous memory of Awakening"
- Group show - artist alley: AgricolART event: "Innesti", Alessandria, ITALY. Featuring artwork: "Domina Corvorum"
- Group show: "Once upon a Nightmare", Curio Art Gallery. Lisboa, PORTUGAL. Featuring artwork: "In the Rabbit's treacherous lair of freedom"
- Artisan market: Darsena Pop. Parco Metelli, Palazzolo sull'Oglio (BS). ITALY.
- Artisan market: Cascina Market. Fabric Cascina Carlinga. Curno (BG), ITALY.
- Comics fair: ALEcomics, Caserma Valfrè, Alessandria. ITALY.
2024
- Group show: "Memoir", Curio Art Gallery. Lisboa, PORTUGAL. Featuring artwork: "Synopsis of a dream the never comes true"
- Group show: "Sanctuary of Expressions", Poetic Tiger Gallery. Boise, USA. Featuring artwork: "Spirit Guide
- Group show: "Visceral Pleasures", Metamophosis Gallery. Willetton,
AUSTRALIA. Featuring artwork: "The absolution of miserable origins" - Group show: "Open Theme - Summer 2024" on ArtCollide, online gallery. Featuring artwork: "A blooming flower for the Venus of Eternal Spring"
- Artisan market: Wunder Mrkt, Villa Visconti Borromeo Litta, Lainate (MI). ITALY.
- Comics fair: ALEcomics, Caserma Valfrè, Alessandria. ITALY.
- Artisan market: Poppy Market, Vigliano Biellese (BI). ITALY.
- Artisan market: Flea Market * Halloween Edition, NXT Station, Bergamo. ITALY.
Shows & Events • 2023 - 2017
2023
- Comics fair: Gardacon, Centro Fiera Montichiari (Brescia), ITALY.
- Comics fair: Modena Nerd, ModenaFiere, ITALY.
- Comics fair: Parma Tattoo Nerd Fest, Fiere di Parma, ITALY.
- Comics fair: Mantova Wonderfest, Grana Padano Arena, ITALY.
- Comics fair: Como Fun, Lario Fiere (Erba, Como), ITALY.
- Comics fair: Gardacon, Montichiari (Brescia), ITALY.
- Comics fair: Ultracon, Cremona Fiere, ITALY.
- Comics fair: Nerd Show, Bologna Fiere, ITALY.
2022
- Comics fair: Milano Comics and Games (Spring Edition), MalpensaFiere (Busto Arsizio), ITALY.
- Comics fair: Parma Tattoo Nerd Fest, Fiere di Parma, ITALY.
- Comics fair: Nerd Show, Bologna Fiere, ITALY.
- Comics fair: ALEcomics, Cittadella di Alessandria. ITALY.
- Comics fair: Modena Nerd, ModenaFiere, ITALY
- Comics fair: Milano Comics and Games (Fall Edition), MalpensaFiere (Busto Arsizio), ITALY.
- Comics fair: Como Fun, LarioFiere, ITALY.
- Comics fair: Halloween | Tuttinfiera, Fiera di Padova, ITALY.
2021
- Comics fair: T.Ink Festival, Tortona (AL), ITALY (online).
- Comics fair: ALEcomics, Cittadella di Alessandria. ITALY.
- Comics fair: Mlano Comics and Games, MalpensaFiere (Busto Arsizio), ITALY.
2020
- Group show: "The Coaster Show 2020", Gallery 30th South, California, USA. Featuring artworks: "Praise Nor Fighting" and "Sancta Vampyria Coaster"
- Group show: "Kaosfaktor - Winter Solstice Salon", Kaosfaktor Konstsalong. Malmö, SWEDEN (cancelled event due to emergency Covid-19).
- Comics fair: Nerd Show, Bologna, ITALY.
- Comics fair: ALEcomics, Cittadella di Alessandria, ITALY.
2019
- Group show: "20", Penumbra Gallery. Loures, PORTUGAL. Featuring artwork: "In The Silence Of A Bittersweet Hope"
- Group show: "Danse Macabre", Memento Tea Gallery. ONLINE. Featuring artwork: "Chorus Mortis"
- Group show: "How Long Is Forever", Penumbra Gallery. Loures, PORTUGAL. Featuring artworks: "The queen's indisputable law" and "The queen's morbid game"
- Group show: "Centuries Decay", Memento Tea Gallery. ONLINE.
- Group show: "L'Inferno Di Dante Alighieri", Imagine Fine Art. ITALY. Featuring artwork: "Gola"
- Comics fair: ALEcomics, Alessandria, ITALY.
- Illustration fair: ZAPP! Festival, Pescara, ITALY.
- Artisan market: Fiera Del Mistero, Desio (MB), ITALY.
2018
- Group show: "Lost In Wonderland", Virtual Art Gallery, ITALY. Featuring artwork: "The queen's indisputable law" and "The queen's morbid game"
- Group show: "The Coaster Show 2018: Volume Six", Gallery 30th South, California, USA. Featuring artworks: "Anima Sola" and "Sancta Mulieris"
- Group show: "Epeolatry", Auxilium Haus (formerly Alexi Era Gallery). Eugene, USA. Featuring artwork: "Words Tight"
- Group show: "Obra Prima", Penumbra Gallery. Loures, PORTUGAL. Featuring artwork: "Angel of grief"
- Comics fair: Cartoomics, Milan, ITALY.
- Artisan fair: Italian Doll Convention, Milan, ITALY.
- Comics fair: NOVA - Cosplay Comics Games, Nova Milanese, ITALY.
- Illustrations fair: ZAPP! Festival, Pescara, ITALY
- Comics fair: ALEcomics, Alessandria, ITALY.
Shows & Events • 2018 - 2006
2017
- Group show: "A Night At The Movies", Penumbra Gallery. Loures, PORTUGAL. Featuring artwork: "Coraline"
- Group show: "The 5th Annual Coaster Show", La Lez De Jesus Gallery, Los Angeles. Featuring artwork "Regret" series
- Group show: Holiday Benefit Extravaganza, "Krampus Night". Tangent Gallery, Detroit, USA. Featuring artwork: "Do you wanna play with me?"
- Group show: "Damned X". Tangent Gallery, Detroit, USA. Featuring artwork: "Do you wanna play with me?"
- Group show: "Damned X". Tangent Gallery, Detroit, USA. Featuring artwork: "Do you wanna play with me?"
- Comics fair: In Fantasy Land, Legnano, ITALY.
- Comics fair: Cartoomics, Milan, ITALY.
- Comics fair: Festival Del Fumetto, Milan, ITALY
- Comics fair: Fumettopoli, Milan, ITALY.
- Comics fair: ALEcomics, Alessandria, ITALY.
2016
- Group show: "78 Tarot Nautical", Eight and Sand Gallery and subsequently Push/Pull Gallery. Seattle, USA.
- Group show: "8x8", Penumbra Gallery. Loures, PORTUGAL. Featuring artwork: "New Life Reclaimed"
- Group show: "Breacking Borders - Spellbound", Tangent Gallery, Detroit, USA.
- Group show: "Untamed Fauna", Alexi Era Gallery. Oregon, USA. Featuring artwork: "Spirit Guide"
- Group show: "The Dark One", Penumbra Gallery. Loures, PORTUGAL.
- Group show: "The 4th Annual Coaster Show", La Lez De Jesus Gallery, Los Angeles. Featuring artworks series: "Salvation" series
- Group show: "78 Tarot Carnival", Eight and Sand Gallery. Seattle, USA.
- Comics fair: Torino Comics, ITALY.
- Comics fair: Fumettopoli, Milan, ITALY.
- Comics fair: Festival del Fumetto, Novegro, ITALY.
- Comics fair: ALEComics, Alessandria, ITALY
- Comics fair: iComix, Milano, ITALY.
2015
- Group show: "INK.²", Tangent Gallery, Detroit. USA. Featuring artwork: "La mia promessa"
- Group show: "Breacking Borders - Elements", Tangent Gallery, Detroit, USA. Featuring artwork: "BhaRaTa Bayang"
- Group show: "78 Tarot Nautical", Eight and Sand Gallery and subsequently Push/Pull Gallery. Seattle, USA
- Group show: Holiday Benefit Extravaganza, at "Krampus Night". Detroit, USA. Featuring artwork: "Ectropion"
- Group show: "Freak Show", Penumbra Gallery. Loures, PORTUGAL. Featuring artwork: "The Puppetter: Eye doesn't see, heart doesn't grieve" and "The tamer of the living dead animals"
- Group show: "Memento Mori", Penumbra Gallery. Loures, PORTUGAL. Featuring artwork: "Memento Mori" and "The lost embrace of life"
- Comics fair: Fumettopoli, ITALY.
- Comics fair: iComix, ITALY.
- Comics fair: Clerici Cosplay & Comics, ITALY.
- Comics fair: Torino Comics, ITALY.
- Comics fair: Arcadia Comix, ITALY.
2014
- Group show: "Damned VII", Tangent Gallery, Detroit, USA. Featuring artwork: "Frustration -is an evil attitude-"
- Comics fair: Novara Manga Comics and Games. Novara, ITALY.
- Comics fair: Arcadia Comics. Milano, ITALY.
- Comics fair: Fumettopoli. Milano, ITALY.
- Comics fair: iComix. Milano, ITALY.
2012
- Group show: "100,1 Artists Project" - Art Take Miami 2012-, online group show at SCOPE Miami.
- Artisan market: Artigianato Artistico, Bellinzago, ITALY.
- Artisan market: Artigianato Artistico, Verbania, ITALY.
2007
- Solo Show: Irene Art Café, Novara, ITALY.
2006
- Solo Show: Irene Art Café, Novara, ITALY.
Awards & Publications
2024
- Featured art on "Heretic" book, published by Heavy Music Artwork
- Award: Special Distinction Mention: "Anything & Everything" on Fusion Art - Gallery 4%, online gallery. Featuring artwork: "A blooming flower for the Venus of Eternal Spring"
- Award: Daily Deviation on deviantART: "The Flow in Time and Memory"
- Global collaborative project: 78 Tarot for 10th Anniversary (a Deck of Memories), with "5 of Cups" from Astral deck.
- Global collaborative project: Braiiinz! Publishing for "Beauty & the Myth".
2023
- Global collaborative project: 78 Tarot for Halloween Deck: "Zombie" oracle card.
- Global collaborative project: Braiiinz! Publishing for "Twisted Dolls".
2022
- Article on KOTH Magazine
- Global collaborative project: 78 Tarot for Magical Deck: "Poppet" oracle edition card.
- Global collaborative project: Braiiinz! Publishing for "Mystica" Tarot.
2021
- Article on "The tale of Illusorya: Exploring the Dark Grotesque", on Beautiful Bizarre Magazine.
- Article on "Illusorya’s Tales From Nowhere", on Beautiful Bizarre Magazine.
- Global collaborative project: 78 Tarot for Animal Deck: "3 of swords" card.
- Interview podcast su Radio News24
- Article on "Col mio stile Dark traspongo frammenti di vita" on Giornale di Arona
- Interview and article on "Stefania Russo - Empath Art", on Heavy Music Artwork.
2020
- Award: Daily Deviation on deviantART.com "Chorus Mortis"
- Global collaborative project: 78 Tarot for Ecological Deck: "The Judgement" card.
- Cover and article on: magazine "MarvellousArt Gallery".
- Featured art on: "NUMiNOUS Magazine" - Pandemic Issue.
2019
- Global collaborative project: 78 Tarot for Elemental Deck: "5 of Swords" card.
- Cover and article on "The Horror Zine".
- Article on "Artist's Circle of Hell" by Memento Tea Gallery.
- Cover and featured art on "The Horror Zine".
2018
- Global collaborative project: 78 Tarot for Mythical Deck: "10 of Swords" card.
- Interview on The Heroine's Journey.
- Cover and featured art on "The Horror Zine".
- Collaboration on coloring book: "Brain Celebration", published by Ellen Million Graphics
2017
- Global collaborative project: 78 Tarot for Astral Deck: "5 of Cups" card.
- Coloring Book: "Bloody Tears". Self-publishing.
2016
- Global collaborative project: 78 Tarot for Carnival Deck -Cirque du Tarot-: "Eight of Swords" card.
- Article on "Avari Magazine" - Twisted Holidays 2015
- Article on "Enchanted" book by Out Of Step Books editore.
2015
- Slenderman stabbing case. Artwork "Slenderman II" featured on USA Today's article.
- Interview on Spak@rt - Viscere nell'Arte.
- Article on Mega*Zine Lost & Found, issue 12/2015: "Seeds of Destruction".
- Artbook: "Fanhir's Illusory Art" from 2010-2015 works. Self-publishing.
- Global collaborative project: 78 Tarot for Nautical Deck: "Ace of Wands" card.
- Featured art on "Pandaemonium: Devils, Demons & Monsters" book by Out Of Step Books pubblishing.
- Award: Daily Deviation on deviantART.com "SelFie Porn": "SeLfie PoRn by StefaniaRusso makes a blunt statement in the artist's own unique and compelling style."
2014
- Award: Daily Deviation on deviantART: "Fear Of The Dark"
- Article on The WallBreakers.
- Article on Wocozome Magazine.
- Article on Last Laugh Magazine 8th Issue.
- "Fear Of The Dark" (lineart) published on "Brain Celebration" Coloring Book by Ellen Million.
2013
- Featured Portfolio su Shadowness.com
- Article on Twohundredby200 Magazine 8th Issue.
- Article on Templum Digital Art Collection Magazine 6th Issue.
- Daily Feature on Shadowness.com: Dia De Los Muertos
- Daily Feature on Shadowness.com: Take A Look Outside The Gaze
2012
- 100,1 Artists Project -Art Take Miami 2012- powered by See Me online exposure at SCOPE Miami 2012.
- Article on Shocaseme.
- Article on Artist Corner.
- Article on The Art Is Life.
- Article on Japanimando Magazine 19th Issue.
- Award: Daily Deviation on deviantART.com: "Requiem For The Innocence" with review: "The rapacity of death and a Requiem For The Innocence; watercolors and ink from LadyFanhir"
- Daily Feature on Shadowness.com: Midnight Masquerade
2011
- TBA (Today's Best Awards Showcase) su Zazzle: "Genie In A Pumpkin"
- Daily Featured on Shadowness.com: Winter's Song
- Award: Daily Deviation on deviantART.com: Tattoo - Angel with review "Behold the beauty and grandeur of the angel holding a Triquetra symbol and a sword. This intriguing tattoo design is hand-drawn and presented in a very lovely way"
Clients & Licensing
Licenses, gadget stores and publishing clients:
- Winning Writers
- 78 Tarot
- Braiiinz! Publishing
- TeePublic
- RedBubble
- Ellen Million Graphics
- "Quotidiano di Ventura" RPG game | Characters Design
+ Tube Files via The PsP Project, UpYourArt, Dreamscapeimaging (2012-2015)
+ Zazzle.com (2010 - 2016)
+ Nuvango (2014 - 2015)
+ Camaloon (2013 - 2015)
+ Design by Humans (2016 - 2021)
+ Modify Watches (2015 - 2018)