As a child she was "contrary,"as a young woman she defied convention to choose art over marriage, and as a middle-aged woman she was considered a full-blown eccentric. Listening to her own inner voice, Emily Carr created an art unique to British Columbia. 02 02 Carr defied convention by choosing art over marriage. Considered an eccentric by her contemporaries, she created an art unique to British Columbia. Carr defied convention by choosing art over marriage. Considered an eccentric by her contemporaries, she created an art unique to British Columbia.