This book represents the culmination of Doris Shadbolt's long fascination with the work of Carr, a painter she views as one of the strongest and most individual of Canadian artists. It reflects more than a decade of meticulous research, and excerpts form Carr's own prolific writings have been skillfully woven into the narrative, combining with exquisite reproductions of over 200 paintings, charcoals and drawings, two thirds of them in colour, almost all of them specially photographed for this book.

Never swallowed by the mainstream in art, Emily Carr remained extraordinarily loyal to her inner vision. The world she created lingers persuasively in the Canadian psyche.