Peter Henderer

Adages may be trite, but they exist for a reason. Peter Henderer is a living, breathing example of this one: “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Here’s a guy who makes a living creating mostly nautical/fish-related artwork from…recycled wood. Or, as he puts it, “Yes, I am still dumpster diving. Probably 90% of the wood I use comes from them. Other than that, I find it on the side of the road or people give it to me.” What started as a hobby is now a business, Peter Henderer Arts.

Born and raised in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Peter spent summers growing up at his grandparents’ Cape May home, and his parents now have a home here as well. He’s been here permanently for eight years. When he first got started, it was in his grandfather’s workshop—and that has not changed. “My workplace is still my grandfather’s shop, and my hope is that it always will be for as long as I’m woodworking!” he told us. “I have made some modifications since his passing like putting in some new work benches.”
His innate talent and skills come in part from his artistic parents: his mother a talented artist in her own right, his father an architect, and his grandfather an industrial designer in New York City. Those skills were further honed at Savannah College of Art and Design, where he graduated in 2014 with a Bachelors in Illustration. “In my studies I have created all different types of artworks from sculpture to drawing,” Peter said.

Over time Peter has developed a process for his nautical creations. “I’ll hand sketch out the fish on a plywood background then the wood is oriented depending on colors for the style of fish species,” he told us. “When it comes to custom pieces, I like to give my clients sketches with colors and sizes. They then usually choose what one they like best.” For markets and wholesale orders, “I have a lot of free range to see where the material takes me. There is not one fish alike. One of the things I pride my work on is that I do not paint any wood. I use the colors as is, and that is the fun of creating each piece and seeing what looks unique with the materials I have.”

Peter does not hunt (or dumpster dive) for specific items to go with specific projects. “Honestly, I just collect stuff as I go,” he said. “I don’t really have a certain fish in mind, it’s more of a fun Easter egg hunt. You never know what you’ll find. I get really excited when I find old wood in pastel blue hues.”
His favorite projects are his framed fish. “I don’t really get a lot of time to make them just ‘cause they’re so detailed and the spring and summer get crazy with my show schedule and keeping up with wholesale orders,” Peter said. His work sells so well that he doesn’t keep much for himself.

“I only own one fish! It’s a Mahi Mahi made from the old boat houses in Cape May that were demolished on Yacht Avenue. I also just created a piece where the fish are more 3-dimensional which turned out pretty cool.”
Peter’s work can be found at West End Garage in West Cape May, Quirk and Co on the Washington Street Mall, as well as at festivals and shows in the region. “Or people can find me personally on my Instagram, The_Other_idea, where I post my upcoming events and markets. My page is always open for custom orders as well.”
Those custom orders have really caught on. “I’d say the customs take up about half of my art,” he said. “The most interesting commission was a framed six-foot Wahoo that I made for a couple in Manasquan this past summer. It was massive! This was cool because I got to personally deliver it to the nicest family up the road who have been so supportive of my work. I’ve also made multiple six- to eight-foot whales that are really fun to make, too.”
In his down time, Peter follows his other love, surfing. “I love to surf, and I will travel to surf,” he said. “I’ve spent eight winters in Puerto Rico surfing. I recently spent time in Costa Rica this year. My sister and brother-in-law just had a baby girl, so the family has had a lot of togetherness which has been so special. And, I have a cat named Irving! I’ve had him since I was a sophomore in college at SCAD.”

Every artist needs an assistant, after all.