The Phoenix Studio reviews

18 Jan 17'

Linda Cash reviewed: Clay portrait weekends with Karin Ort

"This life sculpture course was the second weekend course my partner and I have one at Phoenix Studio - the first being a clay animal sculpture course with James Ort. Both this course, with Karin, and the one with James have been great fun, with very good tuition. The studio itself is lovely too, very light and airy, and the atmosphere very relaxed, although everyone is concentrating hard. We had an excellent life model, and Karin was able to help everyone individually as well as as a group. Although I had worked wth clay years ago as an art student, my partner is a complete beginner, and produced a good piece of work on on both weekends. Highly recommended."

12 Dec 16'

Jennifer Burns reviewed: Clay life modelling weekend with Karin Ort

"A great weekend at the Phoenix Studios, very therapeutic. Highly recommended but wear comfy shoes! This is my second head at the studio. I'm very much a novice with very little arty talent but under the directions of the very patient Karin, I've created pieces of work I'm so proud of. The group is small, which means you get almost 1-2-1 instructions....a real plus for me. Can't wait for the next workshop."

10 Dec 16'

Bev Wilson reviewed: Clay life modelling weekend with Karin Ort

"WOW! If you're wondering/contemplating...stop and book it NOW! If I can do it, so can you! What a fabulous weekend! It was fun, rewarding, relaxing, stimulating (can it be both?-yes it can apparently!)exciting, therapeutic...just wonderful. I shouldn't have put it off for so long! Karen is a fab teacher and everyone on the course was so friendly and kind. It was great to be learning and achieving in such a lovely nurturing environment."

9 Dec 16'

Meg Serjeant reviewed: Clay life modelling weekend with Karin Ort

"I so enjoyed this course! Despite having never modelled/sculpted in clay before I found the course a revelation. Karin is kind, patient and calm, even when things go wrong and she shows you how to remedy problems. I eventually produced a head of which I was proud, and having found the whole event warm and friendly, and the weekend went by so quickly, it was sad to leave at the end! I would definitely like to do another course next year and would recommend it to anybody."

9 Dec 16'

Peter Stothart reviewed: Clay life modelling weekend with Karin Ort

"This course exceeded all my expectations. As an absolute beginner I was afraid I'd be out of my depth. But thanks to Karen's encouragement and relaxed tuition I actually produced something I'm quite proud of. What a lovely surprise to discover something that I can enjoy improving for years to come. Loved every minute and will be back soon."

8 Dec 16'

Jo Harris reviewed: Clay life modelling weekend with Karin Ort

"I've done a few courses at the Phoenix Studios now, but I always come back to this one. The guidance is excellent, the models are always top notch and the Studios themselves are just the nicest place to visit and create in! I can't recommend this course more highly - Karin is a wonderful teacher and I've never seen anyone go home with anything less than brilliant work - even those who've never tried sculpture before! One warning: it IS addictive..."

24 Nov 16'

Alison reviewed: Clay life modelling weekend with Karin Ort

"This was a fantastic course. The atmosphere was great, the tuition was excellent, the studio is a lovely place to be, and I even came home with a lovely sculpture. Somehow the course managed to be both relaxing and totally focused. Karin was a really good teacher, going round each of us in turn and explaining what we needed to do. I would definitely recommend this course to anyone."

24 Nov 16'

Ordell Safran reviewed: Clay life modelling weekend with Karin Ort

"Karin is an amazing and inspirational teacher. I can't wait to take further workshops with her. Like Jane, I recommend anyone who every thought they might enjoy sculpting to give it a go with Karin. They won't be disappointed!"

24 Nov 16'

jane moser reviewed: Clay life modelling weekend with Karin Ort

"I was a complete novice at sculpting and also not known to be 'arty'. However Karin is some kind of magician at teaching key principles and techniques so that a figure in clay appears! The atmosphere and environment is peaceful and relaxed, with plenty of teas/coffee and biscuits to sustain you morning and afternoon. So if you are even vaguely tempted, I would thoroughly recommend having a go. Wear comfortable shoes and get absorbed....it is a great."

24 Nov 16'

Caroline Blundell reviewed: Creating ceramic animals courses - with James Ort & Alison Pink

"Leave you worries at the doorstep and get engrossed in clay! Had a second great weekend at the Phoenix Studio. It was so good in summer that I persuaded my artistic friend to come along this Autumn - but of course it was really an excuse for another weekend of playing with clay under the excellent guidance from Alison and James. They make it huge fun and inspire beginners like me and fledged artists to produce something they love. The whole group were supportive and enthused. It's excellent fun - but exhausting too. Thank heavens for lashings of tea and cake. And yes, preparing your "homework" really helps. Take lots of pictures with you - then get creative!"

23 Nov 16'

Joy Skipper reviewed: Creating ceramic animals courses - with James Ort & Alison Pink

"What a fun way to spend a weekend - I learnt so much, along like-minded people, and James and Alison taught in such a fun, relaxed way - I would highly recommend this course."

6 Nov 16'

Aimee Kirkham reviewed: Clay portrait weekends with Karin Ort

"I have just completed a life sculpture course with Karin Ort at Phoenix Studio and it was fantastic. Karin spent time discussing techniques, equipment, scale and proportion and different clays with us, which was great for me as a beginner and the more practiced sculptors of the group. She also spent time with each of us on a 1-2-1 basis, throughout the two day course, which meant we were able to refine our work and ask questions. I can honestly say that each of us produced a piece that we would all be proud to put on display. I can't recommend this course highly enough... I'm definitely booking onto more of their courses!"

4 Nov 16'

Anne Kember reviewed: Creating ceramic animals courses - with James Ort & Alison Pink

"I completeled my course 5 months ago but have only just been able to get to James to collect the two dogs I made. Wow!! They're great, I'm so happy with them. The studio and surroundings are lovely, it's a friendly, make a cup of tea anytime type of relaxed atmosphere mixed with times of intense concentration. At the end of the course you'll have such a sense of achievement. James is an inspiration, his work is stunning and with his techniques and his willingness to pass those on you come out with two great pieces of art. James lets you get on with it but is always on hand to help when needed, Alison is lovely, really helpful & has a great eye for detail, she gave my dog a brilliant & realistic nose for me. Give it a go you'll be amazed what you go home with. Our class was a mixture of ages with some people who had done pottery before and some who hadn't and we all made clay animals to be proud of. James has given me some great advice recently and is a genuinely kind person with a real passion for the artistic world."

4 Nov 16'

Dr Mandy Bennett reviewed: Creating ceramic animals courses - with James Ort & Alison Pink

"Thank you for such a wonderful weekend, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and found the whole process very rewarding. I think I may have caught the bug  and I am keen to build on what I have learned over the weekend. I can’t thank you enough for your patience, enthusiasm and clarity of instruction. I will be recommending your courses to everyone I talk to who may be interested."

4 Nov 16'

Lindsey bowen reviewed: Creating ceramic animals courses - with James Ort & Alison Pink

"Many thanks to James and Alison for a very enjoyable weekend. It's a complete luxury to totally absorb yourself in such a satisfying activity for a whole 2 days."

31 Oct 16'

Aynsley reviewed: Creating ceramic animals courses - with James Ort & Alison Pink

"Fabulous ! When you first arrive and look at what previous groups have produced, it is a little intimidating. But the technique and the tuition means that by the end, everyone has produced two incredible sculptures. Prepare to be amazed - and exhausted !!!"

20 Jun 16'

Jo Harris reviewed: Creating ceramic animals courses - with James Ort & Alison Pink

"The Phoenix Studios is a place of magic I think. I've done two different clay courses there and thanks to the teaching style, knowledge and encouragement of the tutors, both times have come out with something I couldn't have dreamed of making without years of experience and hard toil. This sculpture course is completely engaging, inclusive and fun and you come out with TWO pieces at the end of it - I can't recommend it enough."

20 Jun 16'

Pam Wilson reviewed: Creating ceramic animals courses - with James Ort & Alison Pink

"This was my second course at the Phoenix Studio, and my first working with clay. It was a fantastic experience! Can't wait to apply the coloured glazes to my creations next weekend. James - and Alison who assisted him - were a wealth of information, thank you so much. As a wood carver I am used to taking wood off, now I have learnt how to build up an animal in layers, absolutely fascinating! Already planning my next creations!"

3 Jun 16'

Kirsten reviewed: Creating ceramic animals courses - with James Ort & Alison Pink

"I loved my weekend at Phoenix Studio. First Phoenix studio is a lovely space to be in, light and airy with lots of tea and biscuits whenever you need a break. The other people on the course were friendly and there really was a warm supportive atmosphere. I had very little experience of working with clay, especially compared to some of the others and was a bit worried at the start when I saw what we were about to embark on! However, no need to worry, James explains things very clearly and balances allowing you to find your own way and being on hand whenever you need some extra help. Everyone finished the weekend with two amazing sculptures and a massive sense of achievement. Best of all, it made me believe I could make things and I have been more creative since as a result. I have just booked the wire course which I am very much looking forward to!"

30 May 16'

Fay Curd reviewed: Creating ceramic animals courses - with James Ort & Alison Pink

"Have just finished a course with James. Excellent and fun. Great opportunity to explore my creative side. Looking forward to going back to finish off my work by glazing my sculptures. Course was well balanced with instruction, demonstrating and hands on. One word of advice - prepare! Although James has reference material best to take your own. Alison who also help guide the students is lovely! Both James and Alison seem to know exactly what works when help is needed. Thankyou James and Alison for your patience and making the weekend an enjoyable experience."

23 May 16'

Jan Norton reviewed: Wire & mixed media sculpture courses with James Ort

"This two day course was brilliant - it doesn't matter if you're a beginner (like me) or come with experience and your own ideas. James is a great teacher - clear about the things that matter and his interventions are positive and supportive. It was a privilege to work in the studio and sit outside for lunch with other participants - who, on this occasion, were skilled creators and fabulous company. It's my second visit to the Phoenix - and I'll definitely be back."

17 May 16'

Mary Gardner reviewed: Wire & mixed media sculpture courses with James Ort

"We have just returned home from our second visit to The Phoenix Studios and will definitely be back for more. The setting is beautiful, the course content inspiring and motivational and as for James, well, he can't be improved upon. He has a wonderfully friendly, informal style which relaxes even the most apprehensive student and manages to support each and everyone in the group so that you leave feeling fulfilled and motivated to carry on and have another go. It was almost like being at a family event!"

15 Apr 16'

Amanda Andrews reviewed: Creating ceramic animals courses - with James Ort & Alison Pink

"I highly recommend this Course with James. Tution was clear and the support and help just excellent. Absolutely amazed and thrilled with my creations The studio is beautiful, lots of space and light., I will be back for more."

13 Apr 16'

Barbara Miller reviewed: Creating ceramic animals courses - with James Ort & Alison Pink

"Recently just started on clay and loved this course! Light Airy studio and James and Alison were very supportive. Learnt a lot and enjoyed it very much!"

28 Jan 16'

Laura E. reviewed: Wire & mixed media sculpture courses with James Ort

"I've just spent two fun filled days on a wire and mixed media course. The wonderful sculptures made by my fellow attendees... aided and encouraged throughout by James (not forgetting Ben), left me in absolute awe of everyone's creativity. James' relaxed and friendly manner was inspiring. I will definitely try to do more at home. Were it not for the logistics of getting to the studio each time from Essex, I would happily book ALL of the Phoenix Studio courses. Simply brilliant!"