Dan Antion from No Facilities blog has an open invitation to participate in Thursday Doors, a weekly feature allowing door lovers to come together to admire and share their favorite door photos from around the world.
Feel free to join in on the fun by creating your own Thursday Doors post. For more information, connect with Dan’s latest Doors’ post, From a Small Seed.
I have accepted Dan’s invitation and look forward to sharing “door moments” that have led to adventures and meaningful events in my life. In my experience, doors have come to symbolize transitions and passageways, beginnings and endings, of risk and reward.
As Bilbo said to Frodo in Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien, “It’s a dangerous business, Frodo. Going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.
Emily Carr (December 13, 1871 – March 2, 1945) is considered a Canadian icon. An artist and writer, she was inspired and influenced by the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast. She is considered one of the first writers and chroniclers about life in British Columbia.
When Emily was 27, she traveled to a village near Ucluelet, located on the west side of Vancouver Island. This was the home of the Nuu-chah-nulth people. It was a pivotal moment, which made a profound and lasting impression, marking the beginning of the sketches of and visits to Aboriginal villages.
Emily’s paintings captured the spirit of Canada in a modern style. As she aged, her paintings reflected an increasing fear of the environmental impact of industrial logging and the ecological effects on the lives of Indigenous people.
More than ever was I convinced that the old way of seeing was inadequate to express this big country of ours, her depth, her height, her unbounded wildness, silences too strong to be broken – nor could ten million cameras, through their mechanical boxes, ever show real Canada. It had to be sensed, passed through live minds, sensed and loved.”
Emily Carr, Growing Pains: The Autobiography of Emily Carr
Clanmother 
How wonderful. I love her art and her writing. I have been to Emily Carr´s house a number of times. Walking through her garden with you has been a pleasure. Thanks so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I confess that I have been to Victoria many times over the years, but I didn’t know about Emily Carr house until a couple of years ago. I’m hoping to return to Victoria this coming spring, travel permitting. I discovered Woo on my visit to ECH. I had often wondered about the sculpture of Emily Carr by The Empress Hotel. What the monkey, I wondered. I continue to learn and learn and learn. Many thanks for joining me at Emily Carr House.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember your featuring Emily Carr before. Such an impressive woman! I just love the dream of greenery quote.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Emily Carr is a Canadian icon. What amazes me was that she saw the future clearly, and was able to identify the issues that we would face decades in the future. In the next couple of weeks, weather permitting, I’m going to take photos of the new Emily Carr campus. You may remember my video on Kim Dorland. He was a graduate of Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I look forward to seeing the new photos!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful house and lovely gardens, Rebecca. The Pacific Northwest alone is too much to describe or capture in pictures. Canada is boundless by comparison. I was not aware of Emily Carr before now. When settlers visited the northwest, most only saw “resources” to be exploited. I don’t think they saw the beauty. They certainly didn’t consider the impact that logging and dam building was going to have on indigenous people and the environment. The little bit you have shared about Emily reminds me of Rachel Carson – women who we able to see beyond enterprise and speak out against the damage being caused.
But we’re here for the doors, and the front door of her house is quite lovely. The subtle contrast of soft colors and the simple Victorian-ish layout of the house gives it a beauty that can’t be matched by the excessive approach of modern building trends.
Thank you for joining Thursday Doors. I hope you have a wonderful weekend,
LikeLiked by 2 people
I am very excited about Thursday Doors. Teagan’s poster is perfect, isn’t it? When I stepped through the Doors of Emily Carr House, I felt I was going back in time. The mission of Carr House came through in the detailed work that was completed to bring the house back to life. “The centre celebrates Emily Carr’s work and life by offering encouragement and space for community creativity and innovation.” Rachel Carson continues to influence and inspire. Have you ever read her poignant letter to her friend? https://news.lettersofnote.com/p/most-of-all-i-shall-remember-the
LikeLiked by 1 person
Teagan’s badge is a nice tribute to the participants. I have read that letter. Rachel is from my home town (Pittsburgh)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did not know that. Thank you!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t normally post links to my blog on other people’s posts, but you might enjoy this post from long before we met. If not, I apologize for dropping it here – https://nofacilities.com/2017/01/23/rachel-somebody/
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have the most compelling writing style Dan. I am saving your article and will be in contact with you about a discussion on Rachel Carson. How interesting that Rachel Carson’s name has come up in my readings and thoughts of late. Many thanks!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Rebecca. It seemed like a good idea to add one more thread to this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A beautiful house and door and plants and words and your first Thursday Door post. 🙂 Welcome! Not a dangerous business at all, only friends here. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am delighted that you joined me in Emily Carr’s garden. A quiet place, perfect for reflection.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How often did I visit Victoria and was not aware of the house where Emily Carr lived and worked. On my next trip to Victoria, I plan to visit the place of this great Canadian artist.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know exactly what you mean, Peter. I have visited Victoria many times over the years but I didn’t know about Emily Carr house until a few years ago. You will enjoy the visit immensely. I felt that Emily was just around the corner in the next room. Many thanks for your visit and comments – very much appreciated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A gorgeous walk, Rebecca. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am delighted that you joined me in Victoria, John. I am enjoying going back into my photos and traveling virtually from my kitchen table!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I liked the virtual trip from my couch. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
No jet lag!!! LOL!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And the water is excellent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well said! 😂 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha. Thank you, Rebecca. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a gorgeous house, Rebecca. I love the yellow, and the detailed wood trim. It looks happy. Thanks for including your video too. And the Tolkien quote — perfect. Hugs on the wing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You would love this house, Teagan. I felt I was traveling back in time when I entered the door. The most surprising discovery for me when I visited Emily Carr House was Woo, a Javanese macaque whom Carr adopted in 1923. Woo has become associated with Carr in the popular imagination. According to Grant Hayter-Menzies in his book “Woo, The Monkey who Inspired Emily Carr, “in her short lifetime Woo became equally connected to Carr’s life and art.” I continue to learn…. https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4990306
LikeLike
What a beautiful post, Rebecca, about the big changes it may provoke, if we have the courage to open the door and go to see what is outside! Thank you soo much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your insightful comments, Martina. It seems that creative endeavours foreshadow events and outcomes. I recently read that Emily Carr met Georgia O’Keeffe in 1930. Wouldn’t that have been a great conversation! One of my favourite Emily Carr quotes is: “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.”
LikeLike
Absolutely, Rebecca:)
When googled Georgia O’Keeffe’s name I found out that there is at the moment an exhibition about her paintings in Basel, where I have lately been to see Goya! I copied the following sentence:«Man nimmt sich selten die Zeit, eine Blume wirklich zu sehen. Ich habe sie gross genug gemalt, damit andere sehen, was ich sehe.” (We rarely take the time to really look at a flower, that’s why I painted it so big that others can also see what I see!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
A wonderful quote to start my day, Martina – many thanks. Georgia O’Keeffe was brilliant, wasn’t she? Flowers came alive with her brushstrokes!
LikeLike
:):)
LikeLiked by 1 person
So lovely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks for joining me in Emily’s Garden. James Bay is a beautiful community.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember what Bilbo said to Frodo, Rebecca! Emily Carr House is a beauty. I always love when people have a door with colors other than the traditional brown. I know, mine is brown. My hubby is very traditional. The door across the street looks like the color of Emily Carr House. Another house has a red door! I enjoyed your post and your introduction to Emily Carr.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a pretty house and beautiful garden worthy of such a great writer! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful glimpse into the life and gardens of Emily Carr. She sounds like a treasure. I don’t know why, but this post made me burst into tears, Rebecca. Maybe because her worries about the threats to the environment and indigenous peoples (all people) have proved true. Maybe because she saw beauty and the video clip captured that so exquisitely. Thanks for the lovely post. Now I need a tissue to blow my nose. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, Diana – I know exactly what you felt. The garden has stations every few yards with placards that include a quote by Emily Carr. I read the quotes out loud and felt her presence with me. I know it sounds fanciful, but words are the memories of those that lived. Such power in each of them. This was one of quotes: “I am always watching for fear of getting feeble and passé in my work. I don’t want to trickle out. I want to pour till the pail is empty, the last bit going out in a gush, not in drops.” Thank you so much for joining me in the Emily’s garden.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good Lord, Rebecca. I’m all teary again. I need to read more about her. There’s a weird connection going on here. ❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
A beyond exceptional Doors post!
Love!!
Emily was a visionary. It’s unfortunate the money people/industrialists don’t listen to artists.
LikeLiked by 1 person
HI Rebecca, this is a great Thursday Doors post. I loved learning about Emily Carr and seeing her beautiful home and garden. I just love how you did this video with the two halves – splendid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A visit with Emily Carr in her garden is a meditative experience, Robbie. What I find interesting was that Emily Carr left Victoria, which was quite isolated at the time, and traveled to France. She wanted to study in Paris, knowing that this was the epicenter for new modernist art in the early 20th century. She spent 16 months in Paris in 1910 – 1911. I read that this was a pivotal time when she realized that she should depict the unity, vibrancy and structure of the landscape and be less concerned with the structure. I continue to learn….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Rebecca, that is fascinating. I discovered so amazing facts about the oldest cultivated trees/plants in SA during our recent road trip which I will also share in due course. Life is a series of learning events. PS I am finished Part 1 of War and Peace.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I look forward to it hearing about the oldest cultivated trees/plants in SA, Robbie. Well done on finishing Part 1 of War and Peace. Exciting!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Part II is a little less riveting so far, but I think it will get better once I am familiar with the new names.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The house and the front door look so welcoming. I think I would feel at home there
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree Mandy! There is a welcoming presence when you walk through the garden gates. I sat on the front porch imagining myself having iced tea with Emily and her sisters. I am glad that you joined Emily and me!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A beautiful share Rebecca. I loved seeing the garden of Carr’s home and learning more about one of our iconic writers of Canada. The video was beautiful. Hugs xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Debby for reminding me that Emily Carr was also a brilliant writer as well as an artist. Many thanks for joining Emily and me in the garden!!! Hugs and more hugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks for sharing Emily’s Garden. I look forward to the day when travel returns. Sending hugs!
LikeLike
Certainly a visionary, Rebecca; Emily’s thoughts are so in sync with many visionaries of today.
I had a little chuckle “nor could ten million cameras, through their mechanical boxes, ever show real Canada.” Those of us, of a certain age, would remember our little box cameras, so precious.
And the remainder of that quote – “It had to be sensed, passed through live minds, sensed and loved.” Such depth to her thinking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Carolyn – isn’t it wonderful to be of a certain age. What adventures we lived and more on their way. I remember those box cameras. I felt that there was magic happening inside. I am delighted that you joined me in Emily’s Garden. Why don’t you join me for tea in the enclosed balcony in the back garden? Sending hugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahah… Such a kind invitation!
See you there at ten next Thursday…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll be there!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Rebecca, beautiful blog, and you are a fellow Canadian, I’m on the east side, but I have been to BC a few times, a wonderful place. I love the quote and completely agree, Canada needs to be felt, not only to be seen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am delighted that we connected through poetry and Colleen. Thank you for joining me in Emily’s Garden and for your lovely comments..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a beautiful post!
I didn’t know Emily Carr and I enjoyed your words, photos and video very much
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am delighted that you joined me in Emily’s Garden, Luisa. Emily Carr was a remarkable outlier who clearly saw the future. I believe that artists and creatives (writers, poets etc) envision what is possible and find ways in which to share their message. The question then becomes – who will listen? Looking forward to our ongoing dialogue. Life is an amazing adventure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much for your kind reply, Rebecca 🙏🙏🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a marvelously complimentary quote to the topic of doors and transitions!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am delighted that you joined me in Emily’s Garden. I love your title: “Endless Weekend”.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank YOU for sharing the garden with us! And thank you: the Endless Weekend is our state of mind as well as our title. On the weekend that you have the freedom to do … what you want (and laundry, there’s no exemption from laundry even on the Endless Weekend 😁)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I look forward to following your adventures. I am delighted that we connected.
LikeLike
as if time would stand still…stay healthy with kind regards, Werner!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks for joining me in Emily garden, Werner. Very much appreciated.
LikeLike
Such a lovely post Rebecca! Fascinating doors and exquisite gardens. I adore touring with you! ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are the most wonderful companion to share this garden with me! Sending hugs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can imagine joining you among the blossoming trees, sharing a cup of tea and a discussion about Emily. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I need to visit this place! I just love the yellow of the house against the surrounding greenery and the history within.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am delighted that you joined me in Emily Carr’s garden. Emily Carr had a deep understanding of the environment and cultural influences. One of my favourite Emily Carr quotes is: “Do not try to do extraordinary things but do ordinary things with intensity.” Many thanks for your comments!
LikeLiked by 1 person