Here in the Hills

Thursday, August 04, 2011

a visit with george - part 2

A closer look at the center section of that first 8X8 panel in the 2nd Garage.......the complexity is fascinating.......Below, Glenn pointing to something right there in the-almost-middle of that 8X8 panel.........Let's see what he was pointing at in a closer way........ Ahhhhh, there is that one little tile that is somewhat different than all the rest.....Leave it to George to do something like this....lol......And by the way, all the mosaic designs that are inside and outside of the house, as well, are all 'original' designs by George....He has created each and every one from his incredibly artistic mind......See how all the blue pieces are angled on both ends in this section? This is part of what makes this particular 8X8 design panel different from any of the others in this area..... In point of fact---Every area is different from every other area...(see above). This is the "genius" of George Ehling......I think I personally relate to his work in such an organic way because my own work as a painter---on first glance---often looks like it is all pretty much the same---but on closer inspection---it truly isn't! And having done a few Mosaic tables almost 60 years ago, (all designs of my own making), I understand how very hard and complex this work is, and that it comes from a place so deep inside one....My admiration for George's "artistry" is boundless and manifold..... Please, do look at this close-up....it is so incredibly complex and artful, all at the same time.....in my view----To me, THIS is the sign of a true "artist".....There are illusions within 'illusions'....George uses the same colors in so many different ways--always creating designs that are unique to him......This one above, (and below) is on the back wall of Garage #2......It is fantastic! This picture above, doesn't do it justice, at all.....The light in the back of the Garage was not the greatest.....This next photo isn't much better, but at least you can see a bit more of the design of the panel on that back wall---plus, an unfinished panel on the wall to the right....... George had music playing while he worked---lovely classical music....You can see one of the speakers there against that back wall.........I will show more of the unfinished section, after I go up to the Egling's house again--because it is my understanding from George, that it is now finished....! Meanwhile..... Above, the last of the 5 panels in the Garage---this one is finished......with Glenn sitting in front of it......This is a design that is similar to one that is upstairs and outside, on one of the Patios of the house...... Above, the one that I just mentioned....and below--a somewhat closer look at the one in the Garage...... And below....a closer look at the one the Patio upstairs...... There are many similarities...but, there are many differences, too....One of the many interesting differences, to me, is the center section.......Above, Garage 'center'........And, below, the 'center' of the one the upstairs Patio......I asked George to tell us how he came to use the 'center' that he did, in the Garage.....I have not seen the use of onyx anywhere else inside or outside of his house.....Here below.....his answer, in a little video......

So very interesting, isn't it? After I get up to The Tile House, once again, I will show you the section that is unfinished in these pictures in all it's "finished" beauty........!

More To Come.......

30 Comments:

Shammickite had this to say:: Hi Naomi: I am absolutely gobsmacked by all the mosaic. Wonderful! George must spend hours and hours creating his beautiful complex designs. They are absolutey lovely. I wonder where he gets all his tile from? It must weigh a ton.... many tons in fact! Thank you for showing us the details.
Now, my garage looks extremely dull in comparison..... when he's finished his current tile project, do you think he could be persuaded to visit Canada for a while.....?; Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 5:03:00 AM PDT
Arkansas Patti had this to say:: Good eye Glenn.
George's creativity is amazing. I loved the video to see a bit of how his mind works as he designs these intricate pieces. He wastes nothing.
Always love to see that "more to come."; Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 6:45:00 AM PDT
George Ehling had this to say:: Dear Naomi

I wanted to be one of the first commenters so that the others can read how grateful and flattered I am by their kind comments. Written words are more meaningful because they have been thought out. When I work downstairs on or near the street tens of people stop. While I’m working it has to go in one ear and out the other. I try not to talk too much because as Naomi and my wife Ivenia knows once I get started I can’t shut up. Speaking of shutting up that’s what I’ll do now. But not before thanking Naomi for pressuring me to do the garages. What a difference!
Love George
P.s. I had a great time doing the second garage. No scaffolds- I could sit half the time and study and figure out the 8 by 8 panels; Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 9:50:00 AM PDT
Yvonne @ Fiction Books Reviews had this to say:: The more I see, the better it gets!

I can't believe George's fantastic design skills, as well as his patience with all that tile cutting and grouting!

I must admit that I am amazed that the house is still standing, with the weight of all that porcelein on the walls.

Yvonne; Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 10:00:00 AM PDT
J C had this to say:: Most amazing mosaics, Naomi. Thanks for sharing. xo; Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 3:58:00 PM PDT
Anonymous had this to say:: I think your pics are good--especially the close-ups.

I really like the panels in the garage...they are striking and so original.

I wonder how the panels (all of the mosaics throughout the house) stand up over time? I wonder if they require a lot of maintenance?

I find these panels quite beautiful.

Thanks, Naomi; Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 5:10:00 PM PDT
Diane J Standiford had this to say:: This man, his vision...I have no words for him or it.; Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 9:57:00 PM PDT
joared had this to say:: Oh, Naomi! Thanks to George! These tile creations are absolutely fascinating. I can imagine being mesmerized seeing them in person, but they're captivating here on your blog, too. Great photos.

Many years ago I became intrigued with creating geometric patterns on paper, so especially like these tile designs.

I'm reminded of visiting a Tucson, AZ national park devoted to the desert and majestic "Man of the Mountain" cacti. The Visitors Center had a large circular table that caught my eye. The top was a mosaic made with small tile-like size pieces of dead cacti wood in various patterned shades of natural color. I always thought one day I'd create one of my own, but never got around to scouring the desert for the wood. Still time for me to start.; Friday, August 5, 2011 at 3:27:00 AM PDT
GYPSYWOMAN had this to say:: greetings my dear lady! just dropping by to say i'll be back [i know i know - such an arnold line and i'm so sorry to use it but...] - really - i will - just headed out and about with my two little grandchildren - lunch and sunshine in the park - but couldn't resist stopping by to say hello and i'll be back to this marvelous post! hope all is well in the hills!; Friday, August 5, 2011 at 9:19:00 AM PDT
VV had this to say:: Pardon me if I've asked this before, but where does he get all the tile he works with? I heard the onyx was from a neighbor, but he must have mountains of tile to do all this. The patterns are amazing. I am astounded that he does all this from a vision in his head. What artistry!; Friday, August 5, 2011 at 11:10:00 AM PDT
DesLily had this to say:: once again you do your beautiful photography!

oh my naomi! What ever will he do now that the house is finished???!! Maybe he needs to buy another and begin again?!; Friday, August 5, 2011 at 11:32:00 AM PDT
GYPSYWOMAN had this to say:: well, i have only too happily returned and have now read and re-read and enlarged images twice and thrice these beautiful images - - what an artist, george, what a story his - and what a storyteller you! can't wait for the next chapter in this fascinating saga - particularly intriguing to me, because for just as many years as i've played with words i have also painted - and sculpted - and even have done a number of large tile mosaics - all my mosaics were done with salvaged tile, collected and gathered from many different sources - something i think you will appreciate is that very stylized comedy and tragedy masks were my very first mosaic creation - a wall piece about 30"x50" which, after a number of years, i re-purposed it into a coffee table top on black wrought iron legs - when i had my first home built, i used scrap tiles in my upstairs bathroom tub enclosure and on the floor where i laid my own mosaic designs - and in the large kitchen breakfast area, i took one-half of my grandmother's round dining table and after attaching to the wall, covered it and its base in a mosaic design of my own - and then did the same up to the ceiling on that wall - you will forgive my trip down memory lane as your posts have so inspired me - and have brought to life once more my own fascination with the magic of mosaics -

thanks so much for coming by my place, dear lady - have a beautiful remainder of the day -; Friday, August 5, 2011 at 12:44:00 PM PDT
Charles Ravndal had this to say:: The whole house is a work of art. I love the intricacies of the mosaic. It doesn't look gaudy and everything seems to be well planned!; Friday, August 5, 2011 at 3:37:00 PM PDT
LL Cool Joe had this to say:: Hi Naomi,

Sorry I haven't visited your blog the last few days. I'm in Vegas now, with family and friends.

I love love the tile work. It's amazing and the close ups just show up how detailed and clever his work is. I've never seen a garage look that good!

Nice to think I'm not so far away from you anyway!; Friday, August 5, 2011 at 5:31:00 PM PDT
Teena in Toronto had this to say:: So colourful!

I just saw Betty Garrett in "Valentine's Day" and thought of you.; Friday, August 5, 2011 at 8:07:00 PM PDT
Anonymous had this to say:: Don't know if the comment I wrote went thru...so I'm writing another ! I really enjoyed meeting George and his wife at your Birthday party.. I will plan on getting up to see his wonderful house one of these days. I am so amazed with his work. It's so wonderful that you were able to get all these fabulous photos!
Love, Audrey; Saturday, August 6, 2011 at 12:33:00 AM PDT
Teena in Toronto had this to say:: Hi Naomi! Thanks for your comment on my blog.

Betty had a cameo in "Valentine's Day". I just checked imdb.com to confirm ...

Betty Garrett: woman in yellow outfit, in the Bistro Garden restaurant scene.

It's towards the end when Jennifer Garner confronts Patrick Dempsey about cheating.; Saturday, August 6, 2011 at 6:03:00 AM PDT
OldLady Of The Hills had this to say:: Teena...I have sent you an email regarding this info. IMDB is wrong. They DO make lots of mistakes. I assure you, Betty was not in "VALENTINES DAY".....The woman in the yellow suit is someone else.; Saturday, August 6, 2011 at 8:44:00 AM PDT
sonia a. mascaro had this to say:: Just amazing mosaics, Naomi! Loved to see these photos and the video. The whole house is really a work of art. Thanks for sharing more details of this wonderful house.

Loved also to hear your voice, Naomi! You have a very beautiful voice!
Have a nice weekend with the lovely Sweetie.
Many hugs.; Saturday, August 6, 2011 at 10:22:00 AM PDT
Pat had this to say:: Thanks for your email - I thought I would try a second time and no problem - as you can see.
I ran your friend's theory past younger son and he thought it unlikely as I had been getting through elsewhere so hopefully it was just a temporary blip.
Seems my memory failed me and I forgot George's floors - how could I - so any repeats would be great.; Sunday, August 7, 2011 at 2:17:00 AM PDT
Shammickite had this to say:: Hi Naomi: Latest news flash: Twins have arrived.... doubled my grandchild count in one fell swoop! WOOHOO!!!!! I'm a happy Nana.; Sunday, August 7, 2011 at 8:57:00 AM PDT
Anonymous had this to say:: I think you could do a blog devoted entirely to the art of that house and still not do it justice after twenty years. Beautiful, beautiful stuff, dear.

Cheers.; Sunday, August 7, 2011 at 10:55:00 AM PDT
Imaginography had this to say:: Oh wow! I am so glad I came by to see these wonderful posts on these amazing works of art. I just love the design with the onyx octagon. That red tile is just gorgeous! Thanks for sharing your photos. It must have been a wonderful visit!

Thanks for popping by my blog. To answer your query, I would have used treats but the owners don't like it so I couldn't. They worry about the dog getting fat! Consequently Dori would only sit still for a matter of a few seconds and so patience was required in oddles!; Sunday, August 7, 2011 at 12:50:00 PM PDT
Rachel had this to say:: Wow again!!! It'd be nice to be able to talk to George and tell him how beautiful this is, but maybe he'll read my comment and know that he has a KY fan!

I have never seen anything like this and find it very interesting. The patterns, some of them anyway, remind me of quilt patterns. I really loved the one that is to the left in the picture where the speaker is. Very lovely!! Oh, what a talented man and it's inspiring to see what he has done over the years. Makes me wonder if I could tackle tiling in my bathroom?!! I'd probably make a proper mess of things!

Thanks Naomi for sharing some more about this lovely home! Thanks to George too!!; Sunday, August 7, 2011 at 7:25:00 PM PDT
kenju had this to say:: I love the onyx and I enjoyed hearing and seeing ho and why he used it. A true genius, I think.; Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 4:31:00 AM PDT
Hey Nora had this to say:: Naomi!
Such a treat to see you last week. This is so amazing. What a treasure. Thanks so much for sharing this delicious work.; Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 4:48:00 PM PDT
Lilly had this to say:: It just leaves you open mouthed. I would love to see him at work and how he brings this to life. What a genius he is. Truly, right there in your neighbourhood. Also his wife must be incredibly patient. To live in an ever evolving piece of art..; Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 4:59:00 PM PDT
Unknown had this to say:: Oooo me too! Me too! These are absolutely gorgeous! love them all!

red onyx tile; Thursday, March 14, 2013 at 3:21:00 AM PDT
shoreacres had this to say:: I sent you an email but wanted to say again how much I enjoyed all of these posts. Quite apart from George's creativity, skill and so on, his patience and perseverance is just amazing. There are lots of things to oooh and ahhh over here, but some good lessons to learn, too!; Monday, December 9, 2013 at 3:59:00 PM PST
Unknown had this to say:: Just searching for ideas for my mom's birthday this weekend and so glad I came across this.
I have a ton of tiles in the garage that would make for an excellent project.
I'm thinking a bit of a twist though and making a mosaic jewelery box. Thanks for the great idea!; Thursday, May 15, 2014 at 10:26:00 PM PDT