Emily Carr and the Arbutus

The arbutus is a protected tree on the west coast of Canada. It has the unique habit of shedding its leaves in summertime. While everyone else says it is summer, the arbutus shouts, ‘No, no, it’s winter.’ It also sheds its papery bark to unveil a greenish-brown trunk as smooth as silk.

The writings of Emily Carr, the Canadian west coast painter of the early 20th century, intrigue me. She began painting as a young girl yet went unrecognized as a ‘real’ artist until in her fifties. What kept her going? It sure wasn’t encouragement from family or friends. The rest of the world thought painting should look a certain way while she kept saying, ‘No, no, that says nothing. THIS is the way I want my totems and trees to look.’

Not expecting to ever be understood as a visual artist, she turned to writing while continuing to sketch and paint. She published at age sixty and readers loved her!

In the Internet age, where is the writer who dares to say, ‘No I won’t be squeezed by others’ schedules and interests even if the world seems to pass me by’…? Is that option a luxury of the past?