Lasidie Is Best An Art Book

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of being contacted by Stefano Lasidie (@stefanolaside on Instagram), an artist and illustrator from Naples, Italy.

Stefano is the author of “Lasidie – A Visual Journey”, a coffee table art book comprising more than 200 pages of his illustrations and sketches. The book was successfully funded via Kickstarter in late 2016 and has been garnering positive reviews ever since.

As you leaf through its pages, it’s evident that “Lasidie” is far more than your average art book. It’s a labor of love; an intimate exploration of Stefano’s creative process as well as his thoughts on such subjects as life, death, love, and, loss. There are also numerous self-portraits that provide insight into Stefano’s personal journey over the past several years.

What makes “Lasidie” truly unique however is Stefano’s willingness to open up about his struggles with depression and anxiety – something that isn’t often discussed in art circles. In one particularly moving passage he writes:

Many people don’t talk about mental health because they’re scared or ashamed. I want to show other artists out there who might be struggling that it’s okay to not be okay. It’s important to talk about these things and not keep them bottled up inside.”

This candid approach makes “Lasidie” a valuable resource for anyone who is dealing with mental health issues, as well as their friends and family members. By sharing his own experiences Stefano has created a space where others can feel safe exploring their own thoughts and feelings.