Honoring the mother orca

Walter Henderson’s knowledge of woodcarving is vast and deep.

At the age of 82, he continues to impart his wisdom to others and craft art that will last for generations.

A 14-foot, 550-pound orca whale, fashioned from cedar, will soon be suspended from the rafters of Camp Orkila’s Marine Salmon Center, thanks to a commission from Doug and Nancy Boyden and years of planning from Henderson and his crew.

When first approached in 2019, Henderson said he was no longer accepting commissions.

“It all began with a concept: to create a full-size orca whale sculpture, carved from a single large cedar log,” Doug said. “I presented the idea to Bill Clapp in Deer Harbor because I knew of his carving skills, and he replied: ‘That’s a big project and would need to be handled by a professional — someone like Walter Henderson, my neighbor.’”

The two walked through the field to Henderson’s house and studio in Deer Harbor, where they presented the idea. It took a few months of convincing, as he hadn’t tackled a piece of that scope before.

“I explained the carving’s purpose was to support educating campers and students at Camp Orkila, and to recognize Orkila’s longtime historic symbol of an orca whale,” Doug said.

Henderson was inspired and signed on for the undertaking. He made a few sketches, requested minimal fees and got together a group of students and friends to help him complete the project.

“I started hunting for the wood because that’s always the challenge in my work,” Henderson explained.

After searching British Columbia and several Northwest states, he finally located a favorable log on the Olympic Peninsula. It was delivered to his studio in June 2023. The log measured 28 feet long by 3 feet wide.

“There is a whole spectrum of colors of this cedar log — from sapwood to the middle of the tree. There’s a lot of color and character,” Henderson said.

He began studying and designing a biologically accurate reproduction of a young female orca, in recognition of the species’ matriarchal society. He developed drawings and exterior template molds to ensure accurate dimensions and shape.

Henderson assembled a team of Orcas carvers, including Sara Collins, Jimi Mudd, Garth Simpson and Cameron Snyder. His stepson Aleph Geddes, a renowned artist and carver in his own right, also assisted.

“This whole project is a combination of his students and friends coming together,” Snyder said.

Teaching has been an integral part of Henderson’s career. In 1972, after graduating from college, he was hired as a shop teacher. At the time, working with wood using hand tools was just a hobby, but Henderson had an aptitude for it. He later segued into wooden boat building and lived in Port Townsend, where he continued to teach classes. He moved to Orcas in 1980.

“I had this realization that people here have a propensity for liking wood carving,” Henderson laughed. “ I went from boats to birds.”

His signature subject became blue herons. He took endless photos of a visiting slew of them near his home to study their anatomy. Other subjects over the years have included eagles, oystercatchers and whales. He primarily used beach-combed red and yellow cedar.

“I realized that everything I ever made was a self-portrait. I didn’t know it at the time,” said Henderson.

For the past 22 years, he has hosted a weekly carving class in his workshop every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. All are welcome, it’s entirely free and materials are provided. He has also led courses on specific projects, such as carving a mouse or a whale, and taught at the Orcas Waldorf School when his children were little.

Snyder says he has been honored to assist Henderson, who is also his neighbor. They first met when Snyder came over to offer help with stacking firewood and brought a small carving he had started.

“He’s naturally good at so many things, and he’s strong and willing. This piece wouldn’t have gotten this far without him,” Henderson said.

Added Snyder: “It’s one of the most amazing things I’ve ever been a part of.”

Creating the whale began with crosscutting the log in half and ripping it vertically to produce two halves. Carving out the center of each side addressed potential cracking and reduced the weight.

Over the next year, Henderson and his team hollowed out the two halves to meet the exact dimensions of the orca and fire-sealed the inside before reassembling the pieces. Then the adipose and pectoral fins and tail flukes were created and attached to the body. The next phase included curing to reduce moisture content, detailed carving of the eyes and outline of the distinct black and white body patches and staining the wood.

It’s currently being rigged with a triangulated steel chain to safely secure it to the beam and truss structure of the Marine Salmon Center ceiling. It will be installed in mid-May. According to Doug, Orkila is expanding its marine education programs this summer with a greater emphasis on the survival of orca whales.

On May 9, 10 and 11 there will be an open house to view the sculpture at Henderson‘s property at 266 Gaggs Road in Deer Harbor from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“It’s a big victory for me,” Henderson said. “At this late date in my wood carving career, my skills and my strengths are ebbing. My best wood carving days are behind me, but I had the foresight to get my students and friends around me.”