California State Duck Stamp 2008/2009 Press Release

By: California Department of Fish and Game

July 9, 2008 -- A painting commissioned by the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) for the 2008/2009 State Duck Stamp will be unveiled this Saturday by the artist.

Renowned waterfowl artist Harry Curieux Adamson will unveil his painting at the Wildlife Art Festival on Saturday, July 12 at 1:30 p.m. immediately following the award presentations to the California Junior Federal Duck Stamp winners. The oil on canvas was completed earlier this year by the 92-year old artist, who then donated the use of the image for the State Duck Stamp.

About the California State Duck Stamp:

The State Duck Stamp is a pictorial stamp produced and sold by DFG and its authorized license sales agents. The purchase of a State Duck Stamp is required for hunting waterfowl in California, but the stamp is also valued by wildlife stamp collectors. The stamp image is reproduced as limited edition prints signed and numbered by the artist. A special Governor's Edition Print is signed by the artist and the Governor of California.

Money from stamp sales is used for waterfowl and wetlands conservation programs authorized by the Fish and Game Commission. Since the program began in 1971, it has generated more than $22 million for the state's waterfowl conservation activities.

DFG has made some major changes to the State Duck Stamp Program's art selection process over the past several years to help promote the stamps and prints to a wider audience, according to DFG Director Donald Koch.

"Next year's State Duck Stamp artist will be selected through a statewide art competition, which will bring a new level of excitement to the program," said Koch. "We felt that a Harry Adamson original work of art would help bring attention to our program and inspire other artists to enter the competition beginning next year."

About the Artist - Harry Curieux Adamson:

A nationally renowned waterfowl artist, Harry Adamson's career has spanned more than 60 years. His stunning landscapes awash with mallards and pintails are sought by art collectors worldwide. His credits include 1979 "Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year" and "First California Waterfowl Association Artist of the Year." His paintings have been exhibited nationally and internationally. His art was displayed in the White House during President Ronald Reagan's term.

Adamson is also one of the most respected and revered artists in the wildlife art world, having raised well over a million dollars for wildlife conservation. The 2008/2009 State Duck Stamp art is his second image to be used for a DFG stamp. His first image was a peregrine falcon he painted in 1998, which was used on the first California Native Species Stamp.

During his lengthy and successful career, Adamson created more than 500 works of art. He is currently working on a painting that depicts Native Americans on horseback.

Born in Seattle in 1916, Adamson moved to California with his family at the age of seven and has been a California resident most of his life. He resides in northern California with Betty, his wife of 63 years.

To view his paintings, please visit www.harryadamson.com. To download a high resolution image of Adamson, please visit www.dfg.ca.gov/news/news08/08061.html