Marilyn Jones | Emily Carr Chronicler

Emily Carr and Myfanwy Pavelic: A Lifelong Artistic Friendship

Published: 23 June, 2026
Written by Marilyn Jones

Born in Victoria in 1916, Myfanwy Pavelic — born Myfanwy Spencer, daughter of Spencer’s Department Store owner David Spencer — formed one of the most significant artistic relationships of her life with Emily Carr. The two met when Myfanwy was just six years old, and Carr was 45, beginning a friendship and mentorship that would shape the young artist’s creative future. Carr immediately recognized Myfanwy’s talent and encouraged her artistic ambitions at…

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Emily Carr in Ucluelet: The Journey That Sparked a Lifetime of Exploration

Published: 9 June, 2026
Written by Marilyn Jones

In 1899, Emily Carr ventured to Ucluelet on Vancouver Island’s rugged west coast to visit her missionary sister Elizabeth at a Presbyterian mission. During her stay, she began sketching Indigenous villages, carved house posts, and the surrounding landscape. These early drawings marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment to documenting the cultures and scenery of the Pacific Northwest. Read more: Emily Carr and Myfanwy Pavelic: A Lifelong Artistic Friendship…

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Emily Carr: Fresh Seeing and the Birth of a Modern Vision

Published: 3 June, 2026
Written by Marilyn Jones

Emily Carr, aged 39, returned for her second trip to Europe in 1910 and spent 16 months working and living in France. By that time, Carr had been painting seriously for about 20 years. She had studied in San Francisco and in England, and she had started travelling to and painting Indigenous communities on Vancouver Island. Read more: Emily Carr and Myfanwy Pavelic: A Lifelong Artistic Friendship On her…

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