Jeannine Staples of Topsham, who took first prize in the 2003 Maine Migratory Waterfowl Stamp Contest held in late March at the Augusta Civic Center. This year’s subject was the green-winged teal. Staples’ acrylic scene featured a male green-winged teal in spring plumage feeding on the Muddy River which flows through Topsham. It received the highest score from the panel of seven judges.
“I wanted to keep it simple, I started out with a drake and a hen, but then decided to focus on just the male,” said Staples.
The painting features a green-winged drake on the Muddy River during an overcast, spring day. An old duck blind sits on the bank, and there are still bits of snow and ice alongside the water. Staples produced the painting from a photograph she had taken earlier. She worked on the painting intermittently for two months.
This is the fifth time that Staples’ work has been honored as the Maine Migratory Waterfowl Stamp. Staples will receive a cash award of $1,000 and a sheet of 10 stamps with her design on them.
Designs are judged on originality, artistic composition, anatomical accuracy and suitability for reproduction as a stamp and print. A Maine Migratory Waterfowl Hunting authority is required of anyone age 16 and over who hunts waterfowl in Maine. Next year’s subject will be the Barrow’s goldeneye.
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