California Woman Wins 2005 Federal Duck Stamp Contest
Memphis, Tenn., September 15, 2005 - Wildlife artist Sherrie Russell Meline, 55, from Mt. Shasta, California, today won the 2005 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest in Memphis, Tennessee. She is the second woman artist to win the prestigious art contest. “I am very honored and flattered, and I’m totally shocked that I won,� said Russell Meline.
Russell Meline’s painting of a Ross’ goose bested 233 other entries, including six former winning artists and will grace the 2006-2007 Federal Duck Stamp. Persistence paid off for the newest winner. Russell Meline says she entered the Federal Duck Stamp competition 15 times over the last 25 years.
Second place went to Bruce Miller of Mound, Minnesota, who painted a Northern Shoveler,
and third place went to Jim Caturia of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, who also painted a Northern Shoveler.
Eligible species for this year's contest were the Atlantic Brant, Northern Shoveler, Ross' Goose, Ruddy Duck and Canada Goose.
"Congratulations to Sherrie Russell Meline. The Duck Stamp story is a great story, and its value to all Americans in helping build the national wildlife refuge system, providing places for waterfowl hunters and others who enjoy the outdoors, and protecting millions of acres of wetlands and waterfowl habitat makes it one of the greatest conservation programs of all-time," said Ducks Unlimited Executive Vice President Don Young. "And it's certainly one waterfowl hunters can be proud of. It's that story that makes this event so special. DU and Memphis are proud to play a leadership role in growing the public's awareness of this remarkable conservation and art success story."
This year was the first time in the stamp’s 71-year history that the design was chosen outside of Washington, D.C. Along with its move to Memphis, the competition was co-hosted for the first time by Ducks Unlimited, Greater Memphis Arts Council and the Memphis College of Art. The competition was surrounded by a week of public events at the Memphis College of Art and concludes with Russell Meline being featured at the Ducks Unlimited Expo this Saturday and Sunday at the Agricenter International in Memphis. DU officials expect up to 40,000 people to attend the Expo this Saturday and Sunday.
"The Federal Duck Stamp contest is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious wildlife art contest, and Memphis has welcomed us with open arms,� said U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service acting Director Matt Hogan. “We want to thank our partners for making this such a successful event. Hopefully more people learned about the contest this year and will go out and purchase a Duck Stamp.�
Russell Meline, 55, was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in fine arts. She began her art career doing three-dimensional art, but was inspired to painting waterfowl after she began collecting waterfowl decoys. She and her husband own an art gallery called Wingbeat, in Mt. Shasta, California.
Her winning piece is a close-up of a Ross’s goose and took four months to complete. While she studies mounts for the fine detail of her paintings, she also spends time watching live birds.
“I watch the birds a lot and get to know them,� said Russell Meline. “You get a feel for their personality and inner being. The face of a waterfowl says everything.�
The sale of Federal Duck Stamps raises approximately $25 million each year to fund waterfowl habitat acquisition for the National Wildlife Refuge System. The Federal Duck Stamp Contest is sponsored each year by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
All waterfowl hunters age 16 and older are required to purchase and carry Duck Stamps. Ninety-eight percent of the proceeds from the $15 Duck Stamp go into the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, which purchases wetlands for the National Wildlife Refuge System.
There are more than 540 National Wildlife Refuges spread across all 50 states and U.S. territories, and a valid Duck Stamp can be used for free admission to any refuge open to the public. Refuges offer unparalleled recreation opportunities, including hunting, fishing, birdwatching and photography. Duck stamp dollars have been used to acquire land at hundreds of refuges in nearly every state in the nation.
Memphis, Tenn., September 15, 2005 - Wildlife artist Sherrie Russell Meline, 55, from Mt. Shasta, California, today won the 2005 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest in Memphis, Tennessee. She is the second woman artist to win the prestigious art contest. “I am very honored and flattered, and I’m totally shocked that I won,� said Russell Meline.
Russell Meline’s painting of a Ross’ goose bested 233 other entries, including six former winning artists and will grace the 2006-2007 Federal Duck Stamp. Persistence paid off for the newest winner. Russell Meline says she entered the Federal Duck Stamp competition 15 times over the last 25 years.
Second place went to Bruce Miller of Mound, Minnesota, who painted a Northern Shoveler,
and third place went to Jim Caturia of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, who also painted a Northern Shoveler.
Eligible species for this year's contest were the Atlantic Brant, Northern Shoveler, Ross' Goose, Ruddy Duck and Canada Goose.
"Congratulations to Sherrie Russell Meline. The Duck Stamp story is a great story, and its value to all Americans in helping build the national wildlife refuge system, providing places for waterfowl hunters and others who enjoy the outdoors, and protecting millions of acres of wetlands and waterfowl habitat makes it one of the greatest conservation programs of all-time," said Ducks Unlimited Executive Vice President Don Young. "And it's certainly one waterfowl hunters can be proud of. It's that story that makes this event so special. DU and Memphis are proud to play a leadership role in growing the public's awareness of this remarkable conservation and art success story."
This year was the first time in the stamp’s 71-year history that the design was chosen outside of Washington, D.C. Along with its move to Memphis, the competition was co-hosted for the first time by Ducks Unlimited, Greater Memphis Arts Council and the Memphis College of Art. The competition was surrounded by a week of public events at the Memphis College of Art and concludes with Russell Meline being featured at the Ducks Unlimited Expo this Saturday and Sunday at the Agricenter International in Memphis. DU officials expect up to 40,000 people to attend the Expo this Saturday and Sunday.
"The Federal Duck Stamp contest is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious wildlife art contest, and Memphis has welcomed us with open arms,� said U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service acting Director Matt Hogan. “We want to thank our partners for making this such a successful event. Hopefully more people learned about the contest this year and will go out and purchase a Duck Stamp.�
Russell Meline, 55, was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in fine arts. She began her art career doing three-dimensional art, but was inspired to painting waterfowl after she began collecting waterfowl decoys. She and her husband own an art gallery called Wingbeat, in Mt. Shasta, California.
Her winning piece is a close-up of a Ross’s goose and took four months to complete. While she studies mounts for the fine detail of her paintings, she also spends time watching live birds.
“I watch the birds a lot and get to know them,� said Russell Meline. “You get a feel for their personality and inner being. The face of a waterfowl says everything.�
The sale of Federal Duck Stamps raises approximately $25 million each year to fund waterfowl habitat acquisition for the National Wildlife Refuge System. The Federal Duck Stamp Contest is sponsored each year by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
All waterfowl hunters age 16 and older are required to purchase and carry Duck Stamps. Ninety-eight percent of the proceeds from the $15 Duck Stamp go into the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, which purchases wetlands for the National Wildlife Refuge System.
There are more than 540 National Wildlife Refuges spread across all 50 states and U.S. territories, and a valid Duck Stamp can be used for free admission to any refuge open to the public. Refuges offer unparalleled recreation opportunities, including hunting, fishing, birdwatching and photography. Duck stamp dollars have been used to acquire land at hundreds of refuges in nearly every state in the nation.