Testimonials

2009

"If you are looking for a place that will really nurture your creativity then look no further. Simon is great teacher who is happy to support you in bringing your ideas to fruition. I spent a fabulous four days with Simon and Anna on a metal sculpting workshop. I had no experience of metal working and Simon made it very easy for me to get started and learn the basics. I came along with an idea of what I wanted to work on and Simon helped me turn it into a reality that I was thrilled with. I found Simon a delight to work with; some teachers take over, Simon doesn’t. He will advise on technique, help out where necessary whilst all the time making sure you do as much as you can and keep true to your original concept.

Apart from the quality of teaching one of the things which differentiates StudySculpture workshops from other sculpture workshops I have attended is the beauty of the cottage and the fantastic lunches provided by Anna. Whilst Simon makes beautiful works of art in stone and metal Anna makes works of art in the kitchen. Anna’s homemade soups and salads are not only truly delicious but beautifully presented. These are the kind of lunches that you want to linger over; if the courses weren’t so inspiring you’d never want to leave the lunch table!

I will definitely come back; I’m just trying to decide which course to do next."

J. Fewster

"Thank you both very much for four great days, I was very apprehensive having been on one or two courses that I have found disappointing to say the least, but you two have well and truly turned that on its head, everything had a very large tick by it! I really cannot express how pleased I was by the whole experience!" 

P. Davies

Excerpts from our visitors' book:

"This is my second visit to Simon and Anna (previously stone) and I cannot commend or recommend these courses highly enough.  The whole process was hugely, monstrously enjoyable - a total immersive creative experience.  This comes with, if you haven't done the course or this work before, a surprising excitement and adrenaline 'buzz' as you develop your work.  Simon tutors you through the sculpting challenge with a style subtly tailored to your needs at that time, and the whole course is relaxed, friendly and great fun.  His style is directional when required but observational and supportive to allow you the necessary time to learn from your close observation of the subject and your inevitable need to refine your work.  All this is married to a location which is beautiful, relaxed and inspiring, and Anna's superb food and generous hospitality.  Finally, and I think this is very, very valuable - you leave the course with an indelible imprint of Simon's enthusiasm and real encouragement to continue practising and developing when you return home".  N. Grew - Sculpting the Head

"The whole experience was just perfect.  You both made me (and of course Monica and Kate) feel very welcome.  The lunches were delicious.  Simon's enthusiasm and relaxed, unpatronising teaching style is extremely encouraging and confidence building.  I was able to produce something which has given me great pleasure and satisfaction." A. Poole - Stone Carving 

"The course had absolutely everything I was hoping for and much more.  It is so rare as an adult that you have the time, or can find the justification, to spend four whole days indulging in something just for you.  I came away buzzing with a new-found enthusiasm for all things creative and it really has made me re-look at how I spend my free time."  A. Donovan - Metal Sculpture

"Simon's teaching was encouraging and confidence building and totally unobtrusive.  He has infinite patience and managed to give us all individual attention.  I came home with a work of art to be proud of when at the outset I had no idea if I would be able to achieve anything.  I am certainly inspired to carry on sculpting".  S. Williams - Sculpting the Head

"This weekend was really important for me.  I was condemned by every art and craft teacher as being unsuited and unskilled in all things artistic.  Simon's consistently encouraging and positive teaching style increased my confidence and ability and at the end of the weekend I created a sculpture that I am delighted with."           J. Coldridge - Stone Carving

"Simon, you were the best possible teacher, extremely patient and encouraging.  We all learnt a huge amount from a standing start and I certainly am greatly enthused to continue the good work.  Anna, thank you so much for the delicious lunches".       M. Tuely - Metal Sculpture

“This is paradise! 3 days’ indulgence in creative activity, a wonderful, inspiring environment and relaxed purposeful tuition. Who could want anything more?”
E. Heeney, Cardiff – Stone Carving

“We have times in our lives when we can say life does not get any better than this. My weekend has been just that. Thank you.”
K. Thomas, Leics – Stone Carving

“Wonderful location, excellent course and very warm welcome. Thank you for 3 fantastic days!.”
M. Bianco, N. Yorks – Stone Carving

“I felt I learnt a lot and was very pleased that I managed to achieve a presentable finished product by the end of three days…. I would also like to thank you especially for the welcome you gave us, and your hospitality. Those lunches in the garden in the sunshine were really pleasant and the surroundings there are so very beautiful.”
K. Victor, Herefordshire – Stone Carving

“A great weekend. Anna’s cooking and homely environment coupled with Simon’s skill and knowledge and quiet encouragement made a great combination. I’m looking forward to a return trip.”
A. Bremridge, Staffs – Stone Carving

“Thank you for an excellent and inspirational course. Relaxed and friendly atmosphere; beautiful environment; delicious food and a perfect balance of instruction, guidance and simple practice.”
N. Grew, Staffs – Stone Carving

“Thank you for a hugely enjoyable course. Working in the open air in such a beautiful green valley was a real bonus, and I am delighted with my progress. I had done a little stonecarving before but had never dared attempt a relief; yet in just three days I carved my own relief figure with curves, varying depths, crisp edges and contrasting textures. Simon showed us how to use the tools, explained the techniques and worked with each of us to develop our work. Everybody responded to his passion for sculpture and his talent for bringing out the best in people. Nobody felt left behind or over-directed and he gave each of us the confidence to believe we could do it. The result was that we all worked hard, used our time well, enjoyed each other’s company and finished with a piece that we were proud to take home.”
T. Bloom, London – Stone Carving

“Not only was the course inspiring and informative but the whole time spent with you and your family made us feel very welcome and part of your happy family – you are an example to us all…. I particularly enjoyed Simon’s method of teaching – encouraging us to look rather than correcting our work – this pushed me further than I expected – I have learned so much more than I thought possible.”
B. Colman, Halifax – Sculpting the Head

“The course was a hit, you have a really good thing going there. The teaching was excellent. My work has come on leaps and bounds since I got back. I would recommend you to any art student.”
G. Defries, London – Sculpting the Head

“The metal sculpture weekend was such a great experience for me, it brought back all the fascination I felt as a child at the blacksmith’s, along with learning a small part of those skills. Simon is a talented teacher, bending to all our different needs so well, and the food and general hospitality were second to none.”
L. Greswell, Monmouthshire – Metal Sculpture

“It was much more than I could have hoped for, thanks to Simon’s patient guidance and encouragement for me to start from nothing and actually make and take home my own sculpture!”
J. Clarkson, Cheshire - Metal Sculpture

“I want to thank you both for what was a truly beautiful weekend in every way. The course was excellent – only drawback is I want to do more!… I felt so welcome in your home and so comfortable and relaxed. It was a unique experience. My sculpture has pride of place on my living room slate fireplace against a cream wall….”
E. Barnes, Hants – Metal Sculpture

“You have a really magical home in Wales and that is partly you all, and partly the location – it’s brilliant. You give so much of yourselves to the courses and the weekend, that really made me feel special (and all of us felt the same) – thank you.”

“The sculpture course was excellent. It is really quite an intense and valuable experience working on one head for three days, having to confront the fact again and again that you can’t see what is in front of you. Simon’s sculpture and teaching experience, plus very positive interventions, make the whole process possible and enjoyable. Add to that good company, good food and an unbeatable location, and the course is a “must”.”

“Everything about the weekend was perfect, so thank you – for all your hard work and care.”

“I had such a great time at the weekend. Thank you so much for both the tuition and the hospitality. You are so lucky to live in such a fabulous house in such a wonderful setting, and even though it was only my second attempt at sculpting the head, I think I have made really good progress. This of course is largely due to Simon’s encouragement and gentle persuasion to strive for accuracy whilst not losing the creative interpretation.”

“Great combination of people and a really great atmosphere (as always) – amazing the diversity of carvings produced (am thrilled with mine). I can’t wait to sign up for next year.”

"Simon gave direction when needed on specific methods, but more importantly the kind of direction that facilitated viewing in a different way, getting past being stuck in the detail - and improved skill followed from that. I had previously completed two heads and felt stuck at a particular level. The finished model I ended up with was significantly better than the previous ones I had completed.

"The tuition was general when setting us up and then specific to each person's particular skill and vision as needed. Each person had a unique approach and varying levels of confidence and need, and Simon adjusted his teaching and feedback to each person on the course. Unlike other courses, I didn't feel adrift but neither did I feel over coached. Apart from the skilled teaching, the energy Simon brought to the class meant that there wasn't an overriding ego pushing people in any 'right' direction, rather it was a more classical approach to teaching - which is one of bringing out inherent talent and ability. The consequences of this meant it was a nice group, with a good concentrated and focused vibe, time flew and each person finished with a piece they were pleased with."

"I cannot praise the teaching of Simon Cooley highly enough - he had students of different ability and temperament, and we all really enjoyed his three days of teaching and achieved good results.

"Simon both inspires and enables his students, he made me feel that I could do it and I did. He gives very clear guidelines without inhibiting creativity and inspires his students to have the confidence to fulfil their potential."

"Although I have done lots of life drawing over the years it was quite a different challenge working in 3 dimensions. However Simon's tuition simplified the transition and his step by step method of teaching made the basic principles easy to understand and ensured that the foundations of sculpting in clay were easy to learn. Also Simon's sense of humour and enthusiasm encouraged and inspired me even when things were not going absolutely according to plan.

"I really enjoyed the course and learnt so much in just a few days. I most definitely want to do more sculpture in the future and I am sure it will also help both my drawing and painting from life as Simon has helped me to "see" form and volume from a new perspective."