COLORADO DIVISION OF WILDLIFE ANNOUNCES 2009 WATERFOWL STAMP ART CONTEST WINNER
DENVER, Colo.–The Colorado Division of Wildlife today named Wisconsin artist Craig Fairbert winner of the 2009 Colorado Waterfowl Stamp Art Contest. Fairbert’s painting entitled “Golden Colorado” was selected as the best representation of this year’s featured duck species, the Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica).
“Craig’s depiction of the Barrow’s Goldeneye was outstanding and captured the essence of the species,” said Brian Sullivan, DOW wetlands coordinator. “We want to congratulate Craig on winning this year’s contest and look forward to seeing his artwork on this year’s stamp.”
Each year, the Colorado Waterfowl Stamp Program holds a contest for original waterfowl artwork to be depicted on the Colorado Waterfowl Stamp. Thirty-seven artists participated in this year’s competition. Fairbert said he was honored to compete with so many talented and well-known wildlife artists.
“Based on some of the other entries I’ve seen, this year’s contest could have easily gone to someone else,” said Fairbert. “I’m relatively new to stamp contests, so it is a real privilege to be mentioned along with the other artists in the competition who have won numerous awards around the country.”
Fairbert began competing in Wisconsin wildlife stamp contests in 2004 and achieved great success, winning the 2005 Wisconsin Great Lakes Trout Stamp, 2007 Wisconsin Inland Trout Stamp, 2008 Wisconsin Pheasant Stamp and the 2009 Wisconsin Turkey Stamp contests. In spite of all his success in his home state, Fairbert said winning the Colorado contest was particularly satisfying.
“This was a big win for several reasons,” Fairbert said. “This was my first national-level stamp win and it was also my first waterfowl stamp win. Most importantly, I’ve enjoyed bow hunting for elk in the great state of Colorado on several occasions, and also hope to make Colorado my home someday.”
Fairbert, who began his art career painting murals on 40-feet wide billboards, said there are some unique techniques and considerations when creating art for something as small as a postage stamp.
“You definitely have to consider that the piece is going to be significantly smaller than the original art,” Fairbert said. “When nearing completion, I usually scan the art, and then reduce it to stamp size and make necessary changes before sending it off for competition. It is difficult but necessary to leave out subtle details that would most likely never be seen when the artwork is reduced to stamp size.”
Fairbert is currently employed as a designer and artist for a company that produces outdoor apparel for Cabelas, Gander Mountain, Ducks Unlimited and resort areas throughout the country. In addition to his passion for art, Fairbert is an avid angler and bow hunter. Craig and his wife Maria, hope to move to Colorado once their children begin college.
The 2009 Colorado Waterfowl Stamp and collector’s prints will be available for purchase August 1, 2009. All hunters are required to purchase a stamp to hunt waterfowl in Colorado. Hunters receive an electronic stamp validating their license and may also request the traditional stamp, featuring the artist’s rendition, at the time of purchase.
The Colorado Waterfowl Stamp Program is designed to conserve wetlands for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent wildlife. All revenue generated from the program is used to fund wetlands projects throughout the state. Participation in the Waterfowl Stamp Program by hunters and non-hunters alike is an effective way to contribute to the conservation of this precious resource. Wetlands conservation efforts improve habitat for ducks, geese and many other species of birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish and mammals.
Since its inception in 1990, the Colorado Waterfowl Stamp has raised $6.7 million to help preserve more than 19,500 acres of waterfowl habitat from development.
Waterfowl stamps and prints from previous years are available through the Colorado Wildlife Heritage Foundation. They can be purchased online (www.cwhf.info/ShopOnline/index.asp) or by contacting Terrie DeLoria (Terrie.DeLoria@state.co.us).
For more information about artist Craig Fairbert and the Waterfowl Stamp Program, please visit: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/Waterfowl/WaterfowlStampProgram/ColoradoWaterfowlStampWinners.htm
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For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.
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