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Growing Pains: The Autobiography of Emily Carr
by
Emily Carr
,
Ira Dilworth
,
Robin Laurence
This autobiography by Emily has been called "probably the finest... in a literary sense, ever written in Canada."
Completed just before Emily Carr died in 1945, Growing Pains tells the story of Carr’s life, beginning with her girlhood in pioneer Victoria and going on to her training as an artist in San Francisco, England and France. Also here is the frustration she felt at ...more
Completed just before Emily Carr died in 1945, Growing Pains tells the story of Carr’s life, beginning with her girlhood in pioneer Victoria and going on to her training as an artist in San Francisco, England and France. Also here is the frustration she felt at ...more
Paperback
,
400 pages
Published
March 18th 2005
by Douglas & McIntyre
(first published January 1st 1946)
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Community Reviews
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337)
Five stars for a number of reasons: 1)The personal record of the struggles of an emerging artist. 2) An artist who can write too! 3)It made me reconsider my opinions about Carr's work. 4)Carr's devotion to Western Canada's woods and native peoples. (Don't think I've ever read any book quite so lavishly in love with Canada.) 5)The record of the correspondence between two respected artists. 6)Last, but my favorite of all - Carr wrote all her books in her 70's, after her doctor told her she needed
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I really appreciated finding out more about this fascinating woman as she described her life. She self describes her rule for writing as "get to the point and never use a big word when a small one will do". She writes in a way that is not lofty and for an autobiography she spends a great bit of time describing mundane things from her day to day life that really showed me the value of valuing the mundane. After all are not those the moments we speak of every day? I want to be more mindful of what
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Emily Carr (1871-1945), born to a provincial, religiously conservative family in western Canada, became an artist through her unflagging devotion, despite penury, illness, and scorn. She was at once shy, frail, and fearless. She enjoyed late life recognition and rewards, then age and infirmity put an end to her forest treks to paint, and she wrote a few wonderful books. Here she describes drawing from a live model for the first time: "I had dreaded this moment....Her live beauty swallowed up eve
...more
Emily Carr (1871-1945) byla kanadská malířka, jejíž nebývale silné obrazy zachycují divokou přírodu kanadského západu, hluboké lesy (žádné pěkné krajinky, ale zdrcující přívaly zeleně a mohutných hor) a indiánské osady. Když jsem zjistila, že kromě toho se na stará kolena vrhla i na sepisování memoárů, nadšeně jsem se po knize začala shánět. Nebudu chodit okolo horké kaše a přiznám, že jsem od „nejlepší kanadské autobiografie“ čekala něco dost odlišného. Za prvé – NENÍ to životopis, je to jen je
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This was an interesting read offering insight into Emily Carr's writings, life, and paintings, and interesting (and extremely personal) perspectives on what it was like for her to be a young art student at odds with her time and place. However, the writing is very uneven and oddly paced. If you are new to Carr, I would recommend starting with
Klee Wyck
, short memoirs in the form of vivid, poetically composed "sketches."
Hundreds and Thousands: The Journals of Emily Carr
is also very interesting,
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So thoroughly enjoyed this book, I will be sure to read her others. I had no idea that Carr was a writer as well as an artist. I always enjoy reading about women coming of age and learning their art at the turn of the century. This was doubly enjoyable because she described what that looked like in Victoria, BC. The best paragraph was the last, comparing herself to the old goose that can't join the flock in their migratory flight, but will still add her honks to the parting crowd and then nibble
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Emily Carr was a well known Canadian artist and author, originally from Victoria, BC, Canada. Her book begins with her childhood and proceeds through her teenage and early twenties as she pursues her interest in art. As a young woman from that era,it took courage and determination to deviate from the commonly accepted norm. The book is also an account of her struggles to have her art accepted, not only by the public but also by her family. Of course, in later years her art was accepted by the Gr
...more
I chose Emily Carr to do my history project on, and we had to discover what our historical person was truly like, and what their personality was. I decided to read her autobiography to get a feel for what details really formed her identity. It was very interesting to read because I did a small research project on her in grade eight, but I didn't know the events that happened in her childhood and early teens. She has many accomplishments, but when I read this book I discovered the little things i
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Emily Carr writes not only of her natural growth from a child but also of her growth creatively. I did not realize how much desire it takes to be an artist. One doesn't merely pick up a pencil or a brush and there one is! That is probably what my own experience in art school was about. An art teacher asked me how much I was willing to work at this. I replied by pursuing no further.
Art to Emily Carr however was an obsession and a lifelong pursuit. In the end, she captured the spirit of Western C ...more
Art to Emily Carr however was an obsession and a lifelong pursuit. In the end, she captured the spirit of Western C ...more
My bff and sharer of great books found this little volume of Emily Carr's autobiography after we had both read The Forest Lover by Susan Vreeland. Carr’s story in her own word focuses on her early life in British Columbia with her stern father, her very proper Victorian mother and two sisters. Carr tells of her rebellious childhood where she draws pictures on her fingernails, petticoats and in the margins of all her school books. She is an embarrassment to her family who send her to foreign art
...more
The reason I picked up this book from the local library is because her name is mentioned everywhere around Vancouver, BC, Canada. I have also seen her works in the Vancouver Art Gallery and I just didn't "get" her art. In order to really find out why Emily Carr was a big deal I went straight to the source-her own words. I have only read a handful of biographies but none that have been written like you are reading a fiction book. Her descriptions of events enables you to step into her life and wi
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Emily Carr's
Growing Pains
is my favorite artist biography to date. The book is written in a way that makes you feel like Emily is confiding in you; hearing of small victories and bitter setbacks on her journey as a Canadian artist. You will fall in love with her personality, her brood of pets, and her infatuation with Canada's beauty. This book should be required reading for any student of Canadian Art.
This autobiography will give you a deep appreciation and respect for Carr's devotion to her ...more
This autobiography will give you a deep appreciation and respect for Carr's devotion to her ...more
Thanks to friend Fran for giving me this book. It ate it up. What a feisty artist. I saw an exhibit of her work in Santa Fe a few years ago.
What a beautiful book this is. Emily Carr had an interesting life and she sets it on the page in a way that is both charming and engaging, and that also gives you a very real sense of her character. I really enjoyed reading this, and am looking forward to reading more of her work, as well as looking at her amazing paintings.
Schitterende levensbeschrijving van Emily Carr, haar kracht en enthousiasme spatten van iedere bladzij, wat een strijd heeft die vrouw geleverd en wat is ze trouw gebleven aan haar kunst.
growing up on the westcoast, i was so sick of hearing about emily carr and seeing her sweeping, melancholic landscapes. i thought i already knew her life story, but after reading her autobiography, i realized that she really loved our rainforests and respected and revered first nation art work.
i think i've become a born-again emily carr fan. her writing style is much like her painting, simple yet dramatic. she is very personable and wasn't afraid to talk about herself in a modest and almost self ...more
i think i've become a born-again emily carr fan. her writing style is much like her painting, simple yet dramatic. she is very personable and wasn't afraid to talk about herself in a modest and almost self ...more
Actually I only read half of this book. I had really enjoyed a biography of Emily Carr, and love her paintings, so decided to give this autobiography a try. It felt a bit too painful and even tedious to me. I am sorry that Emily Carr was born too soon for the world, as she didn't fit into the social scene or even the art scene wherever she went. I think if she were a young artist today, she would be much happier. Fortunately we have her incredible paintings to appreciate in the museums of Victor
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Pulsing with unshakeable devotion to British Colombia, Carr paints an intimate portrait of her highs & lows, her travels abroad, and artistic insecurities as she grows and develops into one of Canada's most prized painters and writers. The autobiography reveals a fascinating time in the history of North America and its art scene. Carr shows us the artist's psyche in bold beautiful language that craves the fuel provided only by human (and animal) reassurance and understanding.
Emily Carr was born in 1871. She wrote this in the 1940's.
She traveled all over the world, mostly alone.
That is a worthy enough reason to read this woman's
artistic journey and her rebellious struggle to be an artist
and to be the woman that she wanted to be.
Emily Carr gave Canada and the world what Frida Kahlo for Mexico and the world
and Georgia O'Keeffe did for America and the world.
She traveled all over the world, mostly alone.
That is a worthy enough reason to read this woman's
artistic journey and her rebellious struggle to be an artist
and to be the woman that she wanted to be.
Emily Carr gave Canada and the world what Frida Kahlo for Mexico and the world
and Georgia O'Keeffe did for America and the world.
After reading Forest Lover, I was interested in hearing from Emily Carr about her life. She tells it like it is with no embellishments or apologies. Very refreshing and a good insight into her life, with not as much emphasis on her art as her other works.
Oct 20, 2009
Jaina Bee
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommended to Jaina Bee by:
Jennifer
Shelves:
favorite-favorites
This is great story-telling! I'm only half-way through, and I'm willing to give it 5 stars!
OK, I'm done and it was such a rare pleasure to be so absorbed and interested in a memoir. Now I've got to read all of her other books!
OK, I'm done and it was such a rare pleasure to be so absorbed and interested in a memoir. Now I've got to read all of her other books!
I'm not a huge fan of Emily Carr's artwork itself, but this autobiography really sucked me in. Carr's independent spirit, dedication to her work, and eventual success as described in this book were quite inspiring.
Emily Carr writes in an engaging style and speaks very warmly of the Canadian wilderness. It is interesting to discover the woman behind the bold works of art that I have enjoyed.
It's hard to describe this book, it's such a breath of fresh air. It's written just like she is speaking to you in her funny way. It's a true window into her life which I loved.
Lovely and inspiring. Looking for more like it. Also want to read Klee Wyck by her.
This was interesting historically and art wise, but not so exciting to read.
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Emily Carr (December 13, 1871 – March 2, 1945) was a Canadian artist and writer heavily inspired by the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast. One of the first painters in Canada to adopt a post-impressionist painting style, Carr did not receive widespread recognition for her work until later in her life. As she matured, the subject matter of her painting shifted from aboriginal themes
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More about Emily Carr...
Mar 13, 2012 04:42AM
L Harris. You two are opening my eyes, thanks.
:O)
Mar 13, 2012 05:51AM