S4 E5: Emily Carr “Baptism” from Growing Pains

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inAutobiography, Emily Carr Salon, Genres, I'm Reading a Book, Reading RoomTags:, , , , , ,

Welcome to my Reading Room!

Thank you for listening in. 

I am your host Rebecca Budd and I look forward to sharing this moment with you.

Self-portrait, Emily Carr, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Dr. Reid hung on to a curl and a button long enough to to splash water on my hair ribbon and tell God I was Emily

Emily Carr, Growing Pains


Emily Carr (1871-1945) Growing Pains: Baptism


Emily was a Canadian artist and writer inspired by the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Born in 1871, she was one of the first painters in Canada to adopt a Modernist and Post-Impressionist painting style. As a writer, Emily Carr was one of the earliest chroniclers of life in British Columbia. Along with the Group of Seven, she became a leading figure in Canadian modern art in the twentieth century. She spent the greater part of her life living and working in Victoria, where she struggled to receive critical acceptance.


In her biography, “Growing Pains” Emily Carr tells her life story growing up in British Columbia, of attending art schools in London, San Francisco, and Paris, and of her return home to Victoria British Columbia.


This podcast is the second in the series of readings from Growing Pains -The Autobiography of Emily Carr. Today, I will be reading Part One, Baptism.

Emily Carr "Baptism" from her autobiography “Growing Pains” – Rebecca's Reading Room

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

16 thoughts on “S4 E5: Emily Carr “Baptism” from Growing Pains”

  1. Thank you for this lovely reading. I love Emily Carr’s books and look forward to more readings from Growing Pains. As much as I enjoy her art, and I do, a lot, I love her books even more. I’m so glad that when she could no longer paint, she found another creative outlet. Long live the memory of Emily Carr. 💖

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    1. Many thanks for joining me for a reading from “Growing Pains.” I will be recording portions of the book as I read through the chapters. I am very interested in reflecting on the themes found in “Growing Pains,” – themes that revolve around her struggles with societal expectations, her journey to find her artistic voice, the challenges she faced as a female artist in a male-dominated field, and her deep connection to nature and the indigenous cultures of the Pacific Northwest. I came late to her writing while visiting Emily Carr’s place in Victoria. I agree – long live the memory of Emily Carr!!! So very well said!

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    1. I am delighted that you enjoyed this reading from “Growing Pains”, Dave. It’s fascinating to delve into the life of an artist as prolific and enigmatic as Emily Carr, especially through her autobiography, “Growing Pains.” As a renowned Canadian artist, her unique perspective on life and artistry provides invaluable insights into the creative process and the human experience. Her perseverance in pursuing her passion for art despite facing challenges and criticism serves as an inspiration for me as well as aspiring artists and individuals striving to overcome obstacles in their own lives. I love this quote: “I am painting on my own vision now, thinking of no one else’s approach, trying to express my own reactions.” To me that is a mantra for everyone, whatever field of endeavour undertaken.

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  3. Thank you for reading us the first chapter of Emily Carr’s autobiography. I look forward to hearing more. Her baptism does sound traumatic, but at least it didn’t last very long. Coincidentally, I, too, was born on December 13.

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    1. I am so pleased that you joined me in reading Baptism, Liz. Emily has a way of creating a scene where I feel I am there with her as the events unfold. I recall those fat, family Bibles. Why am I not surprised that two creative spirits were born on the same day – December 13th!!!

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    1. Thank you Margaret for your presence and comments. You will love getting to know Emily Carr. “I think that one’s art is a growth inside one. I do not think one can explain growth. It is silent and subtle. One does not keep digging up a plant to see how it grows.” Emily Carr

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  5. By the way, I can neither ‘like’ nor comment upon your Bartholomew Fair post. Fascinating stuff. As a Brit, I was brought up knowing about this fair, but I had no idea it had returned – in fine fettle too. Thank you!

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  6. Hi Rebecca, I’ve been scrabbling to keep up with posts this week as I’ve had a lot on the go, blog wise. I’ve finally managed to listen to this lovely podcast (I couldn’t access it on my iphone). I enjoyed learning more about Emily Carr and I hope you will share more stories and photographs after your trip. Have a wonderful weekend.

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    1. Robbie, I marvel at your ability to create amazing art, poetry, novels, even as your commitment to family, career and our creative community is unwavering. You brought up a very important thought that I have been considering of late. I recognize that our time is limited. Given this reality, prioritizing our artistic endeavors is essential. I have learned a great deal from our friendship. Your support and encouragement is truly invaluable to me. One of my favourite quote by Emily Carr is: “Be careful that you do not write or paint anything that is not your own, that you don’t know in your own soul.”

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    1. Thank you for your heartwarming comments, Teagan. The more I learn about Emily Carr, the more I realize how much she has given to Canada and the world.

      “I sat staring, staring, staring – half lost, learning a new language or rather the same language in a different dialect. So still were the big woods where I sat, sound might not yet have been born.” Emily Carr

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