Stefania Russo's Circle of Hell

Memento Tea
Feb 25, 2019
5 min read

Welcome to the new "Artist's Circle Of Hell" editorial: a journey through the eyes and thoughts of magnificent Dark Artists.

Today we are delightful to talk with Stefania Russo, that may you know as one of Memento Tea Gallery's Directors.

Dark Emotive Artist, based in Italy, born in August 1984. She's self-taught inspired to learned from the grand masters of contemporary Fantasy and Gothic art; after the studies as fashion designer and work as restore of antique furniture, she got the decision to work fully into Art World.

Her love for Horror genre, exploring attitudes, mental illness and behaviors from ordinary life, give her way to represent them as "Dark Fairytales" in her surreal personal style. Most of the artistic inspiration is indeed from quotidian and people, not to mention from dreams.

Enjoy the interview!

First circle - Limbo

How old is your soul? Do you have an inner child?

As a person who often forgets how old he is, I feel ageless. My body, sometimes, reminds me feels old; my mind reminds me I still have time to live, if I would enjoy it, in that particular time.

Second circle - Lust

Before you have reached your artistic path, have you ever instinctively tried different fields that did not appeal to you, just for the sake of it? Are you still in search for your art style?

I was started, years ago, as a "Fairy Artists" for a stupid belief to please others. In 2012, I've noticed that was not art destiny, so I've try to explore my dark side and what I feel inner myself. In 2017/2018 I get a strong depression from art to life, art block and feeling like a loser, starting from my awareness of not having its own style, despite I thought I had it, and especially after some feedbacks received: "you look like a confused artist, and don't following a certain genre". Just because I still define myself as a dark artist, but looking for light and trying to be surrounded by colors. I have always designed and interpreted my works in "fairytales". Emotions can be linked to good and evil, but always connected to the dark world.

Third circle - Gluttony

How hungry are you for the art, for your passion? How much are you addicted and addicted to it, moving away from your perception of reality?

This passion, art, is blood that runs in veins. Addiction to music, they're the only reason to stay alive and bring my soul far away from the emptiness of the everyday. Yes, they seriously feed my sould and heart. Cannot survive without they, despite I often wish to leave away, they're like strong chains that keep me welded to life. Sometimes they help, sometimes it's like passing that damned time, in addiction to food disorders.

Fourth circle - Greed

Sometimes, do you feel greedy with your job? Do you think that a strong attachment to money can compromise your art? No intention to offend, but only to explore what goes beyond being a "starving artist".

I felt guilty asking money for my art, I had so many fear of the voices around me: "Art is passion", "Art is everything but not money", "You are not an artist if you sell your creations"... Until, we become aware of what we are, and realize that if we want to live on art, we must also compromise. Frankly, without money you cannot survive in this world... I preferred to leave jobs in which I was exploited and never satisfied, and to prefer a life as a hermit artist. Maybe, it doesn't give me a future, but i want living the present, currently. Be rich inside.

Fifth circle - Anger

How you see the Art World today? There are some stuff that make you uncomfortable?

As a self-taught artist, and consider myself as "limited intelligence", I feel like now Art World need to violently scream own diseage, more than in the past, in my opinion. Commercial art is sligtly reducing, and leave something that, maybe, before there was fear to express, despite art event still continue to insist show "the nice side of art". Totally understand, in this digital era, when anything different and discomfortable "look" is censored, where cyberbullism is everywhere, there is fear to express ownself. People has fear of Death, of Mental Illness... But they're part of us, part of the life. Instead of learn, they're judging and attack the artist, who is living in a sort of prison.

Sixth circle - Heresy

Have you ever done a project or commission totally different from your kind of art? (for example, as fairy art, erotic art, fantasy art or comic art)

Years ago, I was accept every sort of request. I had done romantic couples, for example. This is totally different by my vision of life. I don't trust in Love, so why represent it?

Now, I'm more selective with requests.

Seventh circle - Violence

Are you afraid to represent cruel stuff of the reality in your art? If not, it goes beyond the simple visual impact?

I was afraid to represent my inner feeling due to people, and that was a pure torture. Definitely, no. I'm not afraid to represent the dark side of myself and world. Some people accusing me about misoginy, but doesn't notice, every of my Lady is a representation of myself (well, except for some model and muse, I represent because there was something that caught my attention), in my dreams, in my own imagination look. I have some issues like recognize myself in the mirror, so I let my Ladies speak for me. There are not "cruel" stuff, simply, they're part of life.

Eighth circle - Fraud

Without naming, have you ever been deceived by a false customer or company? What was your initial feeling? Do you want to give some advice to those who are new in this field? Don't worry if you do not want to answer.

Absolutely, Yes. I had, about 20 years old, a proposal about showing my art in a gallery. Well, they asked me about €1000, for a pair of months. I was near to accept it, due to my inexperience, but something stop me. That was a good signal and luck. But, during years I payed a lot for exposure and for contests, and felt everytime cheated. Frankly, I've learn this: never pay for exposure your art work, especially to fake businesses/pubblications that promise you success with big lies. Some people take advantage of your kindness and genuine mood, and frankly, I always wish they to fail for own avarice, and making fun of the artists. That's a pity, till there is someone who pay, they will living forever.

In my experience, I've learn to spend my money in media and personal stuff. The best investment you should do is it.

Ninth circle - Treachery

Would you ever exchange your life as artist with a safer and quieter life? What would you do if you could not make art?

Well, in economical way, probably yes; but just for make sure to get a secure investment for my art work. Anyway... I admit I always love music and I always wish to play instruments. When I was child, my dream was to study in music school, but teachers and parents said me was totally unfair and useless. I wish I was more strong to say a big "F****" and following my dreams. I have serious issues in learn something new, I feeling it's late to learn every new stuff and totally different by my own work; so, now, I'm simply enjoying music trough my beloved iPod.

I've tried to work in differenct job field, but it seems I'm not good in anything, except to painting. This is not means "I'm good", but simply: art it's the only thing I have.