ictoria, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, was the little town; I was the little girl.
- It is hard to remember just when you first became aware of being alive. It is like looking through rain onto a bald, new land; as you watch, the brown is all pricked with pale green. You did not see the points pierce, did not hear the stab-there they are!
The Book Of Small by Emily Carr.
Image#: B.C. Archives H03313
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y baptism is an unpleasant memory. I was a little over four years of age. My brother was an infant. We were done together, in our home. Dr.Reid, a Presbyterian parson, baptized us. He was dining at our house.
We were playing in the sitting room. Brother Dick was in his cradle. Mother came into the room with water in her best china bowl. While she lighted the lamp my big sister caught me, dragged me to the kitchen pump and scrubbed my face to smarting. I was then given to Dr.Reid who presented me kicking to God.
I would have been quite content to sit on Dr.Reid's knee, but his tipping me flat like a baby infuriated me. I tried to bolt. Dr.Reid hung onto a curl and a button long enough to splash on my hair ribbon and to tell God I was Emily; then the button burst off and I wrenched the curl from his hand and ran to Mother. Dr.Reid and Mother exchanged button for baby. Dick gurgled sweetly when the water splashed him.
Growing Pains
by Emily Carr
Image#: B.C. Archives B-00877
The Book Of Small by Emily Carr.
mall had wanted a dog-she did not remember how long she had wanted it-it must have been from the beginning of the world. The bigger she got the harder she wanted.
Image#: B.C. Archives F-01220
More photographs of Emily Carr.
When her parents died during her early teens, Emily escaped her oldest sister's strict rule by leaving to study Art in San Francisco. She later studied in Paris and London where she was hospitalized for stress relief. After teaching Art to children in Vancouver she returned to Victoria in 1913. To earn money Emily built the 'House of All Sorts', focusing for the next twenty years on becoming a landlady and on the breeding of dogs. In later years taking up painting again, Emily's meeting with
The Group Of Seven influenced her profoundly. Emily also enjoyed living with her sister Alice and taking camping trips during which she painted her beloved forests. At the age of seventy, due to failing health, Emily was told by her Doctor to slow down. Her hunger for creativity started her writing. She received the Governor General's award for "Klee Wyck" and praise from Victoria; Emily accepted modestly.
Emily Carr spent her last days at a home for the elderly and infirm, run by the Catholic nuns, The Sisters of the Love of Jesus, in the building which today is known as the James Bay Inn. The Inn was built in 1911, on Section LD57 of Beckley Farm. The address today is 270 Government St., Victoria. The Sisters took over the building when it was known as the James Bay Hotel, in 1942. In 1943, the building becomes known as St. Mary's Priory Sisters of the Love of Jesus guest house. It is here that Emily Carr died, on March 2, 1945. She is buried in the Carr Family plot at the Ross Bay Cemetary. Emily lived in the part of the Inn that is now the bar bathroom, in the James Bay Inn Pub. She would paint in what is now the upstairs lobby, and sell her paintings on the corner sidewalk. Restaurant staff say that Emily's ghost is seen from time to time, and heard rattling the dishes. Emily Carr was a warm, independent, strong, modest, and extremely creative Canadian woman. She brought Canadian art to a new height, bonded with the First Nations people of British Columbia, and warmed our hearts with her stories.
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Biography of Emily Carr
Biography on Emily Carr the:
Artist/Writer
mily Carr, known as Millie to her family and friends, was born during a stormy winter's night on December 13, 1871. From a frail mother and a stern father Emily was raised in old English ways. Youngest of five sisters Emily called herself 'Small' though older than her brother. Young Emily became the favorite of the family especially her Father. His attention for his youngest daughter lead to Emily walking with him to and from work everyday and helping him in the garden. Surrounded by British Columbia's rugged landscape Emily grew a passion for nature, animals and art.
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o women had ever ridden cross-saddle before in Victoria! Victoria was shocked! My family sighed. Carrs had always conformed; they believed in what had always has been continuing always to be. Cross saddle! Why, everyone disapproved! Too bad, instead of England gentling me into an English Miss with nice ways I was more me then ever, pure me!
