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A LITTLE HISTORY ON THE 62ND (1995-96) DUCK STAMP ARTIST

Since beginning his career in 1982, Jim Hautman of Plymouth, Minnesota, has established himself as one of the most dynamic and exciting talents to emerge from today's new generation of wildlife artists.

Accuracy, attention to detail and dramatic impact are what have clearly set Hautman's work apart from others.  These characteristics, combined with a style that is at once classic yet distinctive, have propelled him along an award-winning career path that is unprecedented for an artist his age.

In 1989 at the age of 25, he became the youngest artist in history to win the Federal Duck Stamp contest, long regarded as the most prestigious wildlife art competition in America. His striking black-bellied whistling ducks graced the 1990-91 Federal Duck Stamp, bringing him national acclaim.  In winning the 1995-96 Federal competition Hautman set a new record becoming the first artist to receive a perfect judges' score of 25, while also receiving the Peoples' Choice Award.

In 1990 Hautman achieved international recognition when he was commissioned to paint the Australian duck stamp.  He was also named the 1990 Ducks Unlimited International Artist of the Year.  His print "Quite Pool-Wood Ducks" generated over $2 million dollars for waterfowl habitat through ducks Unlimited fund raisers that year.

Voicing a deep conservation ethic Hautman says. "I'm very proud to be associated with the conservation programs.  They have had a tremendous impact on my career and through them my prints have raised almost twenty million dollars for wildlife habitat."  Although Hautman enjoys competing in and has won eleven conservation stamp contests, most of this time is devoted to his other paintings and prints.

Hautman's focus on the world of nature can be traced to his parents' influence.   "My Dad is a great sportsman and I learned much from him.  He taught me many hunting and fishing lessons and instilled in me an appreciation and awareness of the outdoors." Hautman adds "My mother is an artist and she encouraged me to pursue an art career after high school.  Painting wildlife seemed the natural choice for me."

When Hautman isn't at the easel, he can be found pursuing his favorite hobbies, hockey and skiing, or in the field conducting research for his next painting. An avid sportsman, Hautman enjoys hunting and fishing. Both give him inspiration for his art.   "Ideas," says Hautman, "are not a problem for me.  Time is what I wish I had more of."

Solid field research is the basis for each Hautman painting. Often spending weeks at a time in the wild, he relishes going to extremes for his art.  Once, for instance, he created a special floating duck blind for close-up waterfowl photography.  It resembled a muskrat house, but Hautman was inside in waters.  The contraption enabled him to float within close range of the ducks without disturbing them.  "The only thing they really noticed was the camera sound."

Jim Hautman's work has been exhibited at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum, and many other prestigious art shows throughout America.   He was selected  "Artist of the Year" for the 1995 Minnesota Wildlife Heritage Foundation Show.  His work is held in private collections throughout the world.

--------------------THE ART--------------------

Mallards was reproduced as a photo-lithograph on fine 100% rag paper using premium fade-resistant inks.   The collector edition consists of ..... signed and numbered prints, ..... Medallion edition and 300 Executive editions which include a pencil remarque.   The print image size is 6 1/2"x9".  The medallion is full struck 2 3/32"x1-5/16".  This is Hautman's second win.

--------------------THE STAMP--------------------

Mallards…Engraved by the Federal Bureau of Engraving from the original artwork. Printed in full color. The stamp sold for fifteen dollars. Postal records show 1,539,622 stamps sold. First day of sale was July 1, 1995.