Jim Poolman
Jim Poolman – horseshoe dragon
A trained mechanic and self-taught welder, Jim Poolman has been sculpting with steel for over three decades. Accumulating several farrier contacts over the years, each with a steady trickle of used horseshoes going spare, Jim mined the untapped resource and has been creating works from horseshoes based upon everyday furnishings and various mystical creatures.
A farmer’s son, born and raised around Windsor, Jim left school at 15 to begin an apprenticeship at a Ford tractor dealership, going on to work in a factory in development of 4wd tractors. Gaining a NDagri E diploma at the West of Scotland Agricultural College, he spent a year on student exchange with the British University’s North America Club travelling and working in the USA, including Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Canada and Alaska. Travelling home on the QE2 and back to reality, Jim joined a Chrysler main dealership, then on to a newly founded vehicle range from the Dutch DAF company. Recognising the potential of the product range, Jim set out on his own and founded Orlando Engineering in Eversley, Hampshire as a service centre. Future side projects included the manufacture of aeroplane hangers and a venture into an off road vehicle called The Ant.
Throughout this time , Jim has had an active interest in art and design and spent his spare time painting and sculpting a variety of works, predominantly in steel.
Jim lives with his wife Anita on the site of the existing business estate and has three children and seven grandchildren