Some call it a mid-life crisis, but for horse breeder Caroline de Bruin taking up welding and off-road motorbike riding to stave off the empty nest syndrome was simply an extension of her creative self.
De Bruin, 50, who lives in the verdant Kwelera countryside near Crossways where she breeds warmblood horses and runs a guesthouse, turned a stable into a welding workshop and spends her spare time transforming scrap metal into murals and sculptures.
“After 24 years of being a mother to my two sons, they left home,” said De Bruin. “I grew up in an art studio because my mother, Cynthia Little, is an art teacher and I always wanted to be creative. So when she held a scrap metal art exhibition I thought that was something I wanted to do.”
“I go to all the scrap metal yards wearing my pink gardening gloves and scratch around. I also get old horseshoes from farriers. Once, when I was picking some out of a 44-gallon drum a rat flew out of there.”
De Bruin is undeterred by the less than glamorous hunting grounds for her materials and sees each foray as a treasure hunt and recycling opportunity.
For her artistic eye, rusty bicycle chains are a horse’s mane, a set of old protractors are a crane’s beak and a discarded washer is a cowboy hat.
Once she has fished appropriate bits of machinery out of the piles of scrap carefully amassed in her stable workshop, De Bruin designs her piece, pushing scrap into place like a jigsaw puzzle. Rolling up her sleeves she cleaves them into the desired shape with an angle grinder. Then, protective helmet firmly in place, she powers up her arc welder and, sparks flying, fixes them into place.
“I was taught to weld by a friend, and once you get over the grinding noise it’s not difficult. But I have a healthy respect for it. Every single guy I see tells me stories of people who sliced their fingers off or had to have 120 stitches in their leg.”
Because welding is still perceived as a male-dominated activity, De Bruin has to deal with incredulous men who find it hard to believe she has mastered the process.
“When I went to galvanise my horse it created quite a stir. A lot of men didn’t believe I could do it and thought someone helps me, but no one does.”
Among her first pieces are wall sculptures of horses which now adorn her garden walls. “I know horses so well. I know their lines and structure and my goal is to make a life-sized horse out of horseshoes.”
But she also makes other figurines, such as a quirky range of dogs with hammerhead heads and she can’t wait to turn a pair of old lawnmower blades into a crocodile’s toothsome mouth or a large old fan into a triumphant peacock's tail.
“I am a stud manager and spend a lot of time with my foals and training young horses so I weld whenever I get the chance, which is usually two or three times a week.
“Once I started at 10am and before I realised it, it was 7.30pm. To be absolutely honest, I’d rather weld than cook supper!” said De Bruin who is married to vet Dr Coen de Bruin.
It was her husband who took care of her second empty nest-busting past-time.
“He bought me a motorbike and now we ride together and do fun off-road country rides in the veld.
“I was a stay-at-home mom for so many years and you forget what you like to do. I used to ride a motorbike before I had kids, so this is about getting your life back.
“I’m having the time of my life. Welding and riding is just about getting on with my life, it’s not a mid-life crisis.” — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
Enjoying next stage of life
De Bruin, 50, who lives in the verdant Kwelera countryside near Crossways where she breeds warmblood horses and runs a guesthouse, turned a stable into a welding workshop and spends her spare time transforming scrap metal into murals and sculptures.
“After 24 years of being a mother to my two sons, they left home,” said De Bruin. “I grew up in an art studio because my mother, Cynthia Little, is an art teacher and I always wanted to be creative. So when she held a scrap metal art exhibition I thought that was something I wanted to do.”
“I go to all the scrap metal yards wearing my pink gardening gloves and scratch around. I also get old horseshoes from farriers. Once, when I was picking some out of a 44-gallon drum a rat flew out of there.”
De Bruin is undeterred by the less than glamorous hunting grounds for her materials and sees each foray as a treasure hunt and recycling opportunity.
For her artistic eye, rusty bicycle chains are a horse’s mane, a set of old protractors are a crane’s beak and a discarded washer is a cowboy hat.
Once she has fished appropriate bits of machinery out of the piles of scrap carefully amassed in her stable workshop, De Bruin designs her piece, pushing scrap into place like a jigsaw puzzle. Rolling up her sleeves she cleaves them into the desired shape with an angle grinder. Then, protective helmet firmly in place, she powers up her arc welder and, sparks flying, fixes them into place.
“I was taught to weld by a friend, and once you get over the grinding noise it’s not difficult. But I have a healthy respect for it. Every single guy I see tells me stories of people who sliced their fingers off or had to have 120 stitches in their leg.”
Because welding is still perceived as a male-dominated activity, De Bruin has to deal with incredulous men who find it hard to believe she has mastered the process.
“When I went to galvanise my horse it created quite a stir. A lot of men didn’t believe I could do it and thought someone helps me, but no one does.”
Among her first pieces are wall sculptures of horses which now adorn her garden walls. “I know horses so well. I know their lines and structure and my goal is to make a life-sized horse out of horseshoes.”
But she also makes other figurines, such as a quirky range of dogs with hammerhead heads and she can’t wait to turn a pair of old lawnmower blades into a crocodile’s toothsome mouth or a large old fan into a triumphant peacock's tail.
“I am a stud manager and spend a lot of time with my foals and training young horses so I weld whenever I get the chance, which is usually two or three times a week.
“Once I started at 10am and before I realised it, it was 7.30pm. To be absolutely honest, I’d rather weld than cook supper!” said De Bruin who is married to vet Dr Coen de Bruin.
It was her husband who took care of her second empty nest-busting past-time.
“He bought me a motorbike and now we ride together and do fun off-road country rides in the veld.
“I was a stay-at-home mom for so many years and you forget what you like to do. I used to ride a motorbike before I had kids, so this is about getting your life back.
“I’m having the time of my life. Welding and riding is just about getting on with my life, it’s not a mid-life crisis.” — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos