Meet Emily LaBowe: visual artist, tactile thinker, and forever inspired by the beauty of imperfection.
You might recognize her from our holiday shoot—she’s the one bringing serious presence to our softest knits, favorite denim, and easy layers. But beyond the camera, Emily’s an artist whose work invites you into something slower, softer, and deeply personal.
There’s something about Emily’s work that makes you pause. Her paintings feel layered in more ways than one—emotionally textured, quietly powerful. You don’t just look at them; you feel your way in.
We caught up with Emily in between studio sessions (and weaving experiments) to talk about vulnerability, inspiration, and why she always keeps her dog Elvis nearby.
Here’s our conversation.
If someone is discovering your work for the first time, what do you hope they feel when they see your paintings?
Vulnerability and authenticity.
What first inspired you to start painting?
I have always been drawn to the beauty of imperfection– incompleteness, flaws, rough edges, Wabi-sabi–the idea that all things are incomplete and nothing that exists is without imperfections including the universe itself.
For me, art and painting is an act of intimacy with myself. Working with my hands (embroidery, weaving, knitting, textile design, my line Poppy Undies) has always been a form of healing since I was young.
I seriously dedicated myself to my painting practice during a tumultuous time in my life because it became a safe haven and place where I could deeply lock in to flow. Not thinking about anything else–pure presence. Wherever I may be–it brings me a sense of centeredness. It gets me out of my head...and acts as a vehicle in accepting my own imperfections physically and mentally.
There is something beautiful about how painting or creating anything with one's hands, offers an opportunity to recreate and transform oneself.
We are constantly changing, growing, regrowing, and redefining and painting has been such a mirror to that for me.
Where do you usually find inspiration—people, places, emotions, or moments?
I find inspiration in many things. I have an appreciation for intricate textures, patterns, and details revealed in everyday objects and organic surfaces. Macro imagery of skin for example or an old wall repainted over and over again–a whole world of abstractions inside a portion of a living object.
I am currently working on a very personal & intimate series of paintings inspired by scars.
Lately, I’ve also been obsessed with weaving, quilting, and tapestry making. Deeply inspired by Gees Bend, Anni Albers, Terri Friedman. I’ve been spending a lot of my time in studio weaving–the simple act of working with my hands and the process is so calming. Family, historical and cultural ties to hand-made works and art is also highly inspiring.
I like to have a lot of projects going at once!
What’s your favorite medium to work with?
I am drawn to texture and color in my work. I use a lot of texture mediums and molding pastes to create depth and build layers. I like the tactile element of thicker heavy bodied acrylics, textured gels and pastes layered on top of flatter surfaces.
I am definitely influenced by my love for tactile fabrics, hand-woven pieces, hand made tapestries, patterns etc. Something that almost resembles a textile, a woven linen or a gritty texture. Natural materials.
If your art studio had a soundtrack, what song or artist would be on repeat?
This changes quite frequently but currently Hiroshi Yoshimura’s album Surround, specifically the song "Something Blue" or "Circle 37" from the album Foam and and Sand. Both vibes deeply beautiful ambient dream world….
Coffee, tea, or something stronger—what fuels your painting sessions?
Depends on the time of day. Lately, my early-morning studio routine is coffee.
What’s one surprising thing you always keep nearby while you paint?
My dog Elvis is always next to me on his bed hanging out. He’s my partner in crime.
If you could have dinner with any artist in history, who would it be?
Oof too difficult to pick just one, but maybe dinner and drinks with Agnes Martin Lee Krasner and Helen Frankenthaler ha!
We’re endlessly inspired by artists who create from the heart—and Emily is one of those rare talents who makes you feel something before you even know why.
Whether she’s behind the canvas or in front of the camera, Emily brings the same grounded energy: thoughtful, expressive, quietly magnetic. To explore more of her work (or add a little tactile beauty to your feed), follow her @emlabowe.paints and see her modeling our holiday collection, now live on site.
