Emily McDowell Studio Announces Collaboration w/ Artist and Author Lisa Congdon

Emily McDowell Studio (rebranding to Emily McDowell & Friends this spring) is proud to announce its first collaborative line extension with acclaimed artist, illustrator, and author Lisa Congdon. With this collaboration comes an exciting new direction for the gift and card company-as signified by the fresh brand name. The vibrant, 27-piece Lisa Congdon for Emily McDowell & Friends collection will include 16 greeting cards, four journals, four tote bags, and three ceramic mug designs, all available on emilymcdowell.com beginning March 14th, and available now to the trade.

Based in Portland, Oregon, Lisa Congdon is known for her energetic and colorful designs. Over the past decade, she has worked for such clients as MoMA, REI, and Simon & Schuster Publishing, among many others. Congdon is the author of seven books, including the starving-artist-myth-smashing Art Inc: The Essential Guide to Building Your Career as an Artist (Chronicle Books). Named one of the 40 Women Over 40 to Watch in 2015, Lisa was also featured in the 2017 book 200 Women Who Will Change the Way You See the World(Chronicle). Lisa Congdon for Emily McDowell & Friends marks the artist's largest licensed product collection to-date.

Founded by writer and illustrator McDowell in 2012, Emily McDowell & Friends specializes in chronicling the human condition through humor, heart, and honesty; striving to identify universal, emotional truths and turn them into products that not only help people feel understood, but also help them connect with one another. In January of 2018, the company-which has been featured by the likes of Good Morning America, the New York Times and National Public Radio, and has distribution in over 2000 retailers around the country-was acquired by Knock Knock. Together with the gift company People, Places & Things, the three brands now make up the Who's There Group, where McDowell serves as SVP of strategy, while remaining creative director of Emily McDowell & Friends. Beginning with the work of Lisa Congdon, Emily McDowell & Friends will continue to feature guest writers and illustrators in future seasons as an ongoing initiative.

"Over the years, I've met so many incredible artists who I've wanted to collaborate with, but I was too busy building the brand to be able to work with them in a significant way," explains McDowell. "Now, we're finally able to take that next step-and expand to also include the work of some of my favorite writers and illustrators in collections of their own. We felt this expansion called for a new name that felt more fun, more collaborative, and frankly, cooler than 'Studio.' With that, I'm beyond thrilled that our inaugural Friend is Lisa Congdon! She is a successful and talented illustrator, fine artist, and author, with a brand in her own right, and I'm so honored she's chosen to work with us."

The complete Lisa Congdon for Emily McDowell & Friends collection will be available on emilymcdowell.com on March 14th. To preview the collection, and to learn more about Lisa and Emily, please visit emilymcdowell.com/lisacongdon.

Photo Credit: Clay Walsh