Elixir; Stone, Soul, and the Secret World: A Master’s Workshop Curriculum
Our mission is to provide a mindful refuge from the digital world where students, guided by a classical master, discover a “lexicon and grammar to compose a great poem in stone,” transforming creation into an act of self-discovery.
This is not merely a class; it is an exclusive invitation to step out of the digital current and plunge into a profound, tangible dialogue with history. This intensive, five-day immersion offers a rare opportunity to delve into the ancient craft of stone carving under the direct tutelage of a Master Mason whose unbroken lineage stretches back nearly a millennium to 1080. You will learn to coax form from a raw block of limestone or marble, just as the mediaeval masons shaped the world’s most enduring architecture.
Crucially, the training and education offered in this course is traditional, reflecting knowledge and techniques that were once only available to masters within the closed system of guilds and courts. You are not just learning a skill; you are gaining access to a profound, holistic methodology that defines true court craftsmanship. This journey is designed to cultivate not just technical skill, but a holistic understanding and a refined sensibility essential to becoming a master craftsperson—an inherently human endeavour.
The Investment in Lineage: £3,500
This exclusive experience is strictly limited to six students, ensuring unparalleled, individual attention. Your investment of £3,500 per participant secures five full days of Master-level tuition, where you will work with premium materials—Portland and Bath limestone, various sandstones, Welsh/Cumbrian slate, and Carrara/Kalamata marbles.
The fee includes the use of professional tools and personal protective equipment (PPE), and high-quality daily refreshments. A cornerstone of the experience is the curated artisanal lunches, served in the tradition of “Bukë Kripë Dhe Zemër” (Bread, Salt, and Heart), fostering camaraderie and cultivating the discerning taste and social graces befitting a court artisan. Additionally, local travel for workshop-related activities is provided, alongside two optional evening visits for intimate conversations and anecdotes with the Master.
The Elixir Legacy Collection: Included with Your Enrolment
Your enrolment fee for the Elixir Range includes the complete Elixir Legacy Collection, a private selection of four essential elements reserved solely for those accepted into the course. This collection—comprising the foundational text, the personal signet, the bespoke Legacy Chisels, and the Lignum Vitae Mallet—is a profound, tangible gift that signifies your official induction into this exclusive lineage. These items are not available for individual purchase through any other channel, ensuring that they remain a unique, high-value signature of your commitment and mastery achieved only through the Elixir Range.
Please note: The investment excludes travel to and from the venue, accommodation, and evening meals (unless specified for a special event).
The Curriculum: A Conversation with Antiquity
Our daily practice is enriched by profound guiding principles that inform every stroke. We move beyond technique to explore principles like the deliberate application of Harmonic Proportion (The Golden Ratio), the rhythmic consciousness of Fóli, the pursuit of excellence (Arete), and the spiritual imbuement of Baraka. These ideas, alongside Gestalt Laws and the structural understanding of Musical Theory, inform a holistic approach to creation, leading to Eudaimonia—the deep satisfaction found in realizing one’s highest potential.
Day 1: The Foundation – The Tactile Awakening
The week begins with an introduction to the Master’s 1080 lineage and the Renaissance ideal, followed by hands-on tool immersion and selecting your initial premium material. The afternoon is dedicated to your first cuts, where you will feel the cool, hard resistance of the stone. Guided exercises awaken your Proprioceptive and Kinaesthetic senses—the subtle, unseen internal awareness crucial for transforming the mallet and chisel into a sharp-edged extension of your own hand.
Day 2: Form, Flow, and Inner Rhythm
You will progress to more complex shapes, learning to ‘read’ the stone’s grain and resistance. We explore Fóli—the heartbeat of existence—applying this universal rhythm to your creative work. Focused practice enhances your Equilibrioception (inner sense of balance), leading to a state of Flow where the boundary between artist and material blurs. This meditative rhythm of hammer against steel becomes a true conversation with a material older than memory.
Day 3: The Unseen Language of Creation
This pivotal day uncovers the Symbolic Geometry and Harmonic Proportion that underpin enduring beauty. You will learn how to apply the Golden Ratio to coax forms that resonate with universal balance. We delve into Chronoception, the innate sense of time essential for pacing your strokes, and study the unwritten laws of Space, Volume, and Void. An optional evening offers informal “Conversations with the Master” to discuss the subtle pull of intuition in artistic decisions.
Day 4: Imbuing Spirit and Pursuing Excellence
We turn to the Metaphysics of the Craft—exploring the idea of listening to the stone’s inherent spirit. The afternoon focuses on Arete—the uncompromising pursuit of excellence in refinement and finishing. Through meticulous detail, you will seek Baraka, the divine grace or spiritual energy that imbues an object crafted with unwavering dedication and soul. Communal lunch serves as a structured journey in refining the social graces of a court craftsperson.
Day 5: Legacy, Metaphysics, and The Enduring Song
The final day integrates the week’s learning, applying Gestalt Laws and Musical Theory to achieve cohesion in your finished piece. We reflect on “The Song”—the whispering current of generational wisdom and silent stories flowing through the craft. You will then complete your personal masterpiece, imbued with your newfound understanding, ponder its enduring presence, and receive your certificate. A second optional evening conversation is available for final reflection and networking.
Post-Workshop Benefits:
- Members-Only Access: Exclusive access to members-only activities and content, fostering a continuing community of dedicated craftspeople.