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A LITTLE HISTORY ON THE 73rd (2006-07) DUCK STAMP ARTIST
ISherrie Russel Meline has been a professional artist since the mid~1970s. She has always been interested in art and her talent has been apparent and acknowledged since early childhood. Born in Madison, Wisconsin, Sherrie attended high school in Tokyo Japan. and in 1972 she graduated with honors in fine art from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Her professional career began in San Jose, California in 1974 when she applied her unique painting style to laminated wood sculpture.. Although a decoy collector since her college days, Sherries interest in waterfowl was not expressed in her work until after she moved to Mount Shasta California in 1980.
Northern California provides an abundant resource of material for Sherrie’s paintings. She feels that observing and photographing waterfowl in both their native and captive environment are essential for establishing proper bird attitudes. The additional use of mounts and study skins provide the source for the fine feather detail also evident in Sherrie’s work. The paintings are an acrylic wash delicately applied layer by layer from a self- mixed palette. All the colors are mixed from combinations of red, yellow, blue, black and white.
Sherrie and her husband, Kevin, publish and distribute her limited edition prints nationally through their gallery, Wingbeat of Mt. Shasta. Sherrie also shows at various art, sport and wildlife art shows across the Country.
Since 1982, Sherrie has been a member of the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association and has served on the Board of Directors since 1986. Ducks Unlimited appointed her as Honorary National Trustee. She is a life member of California Waterfowl Association, and a major donor to California Waterfowl Association, Ducks Unlimited National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever, Quail Unlimited and The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
Although Sherries Waterfowl have successfully graced the face of more than 30 State Duck Stamps, this is the first time that her work was selected for the Federal Duck Stamp. She has competed twelve times. The annual competition took place at the School of Art in Memphis, Tennessee and on September 15, 2005, Sherries Ross’ Goose was selected by a Board of Judges for the 2006-2007 Federal Duck Stamp.’ “It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of Federal Duck Stamp history”.
--------------------THE ART--------------------
Ross's Goose information to come later
--------------------THE STAMP--------------------
First Day of Sale: June 1, 2006. Issue: 2006 - Seventy-third Duck Stamp (fifteenth $15.00 stamp), Ninth Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) Issue - RW73A. Second mini sheet (RW73B)
Inscription: Front - "U.S. Department of the Interior. Void after June 30, 2007. Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp. $15. Ross' Goose."
Back - "Invest in America's Future. Buy Duck Stamps. Save Wetlands. Send in or report all bird bands to 1-800-327-BAND. It is unlawful to hunt waterfowl or use this stamp as a pass to a National Wildlife Refuge unless you sign your name in ink on the face of this stamp."
PSA Inscription: Front - "U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 2006-2007 Migratory Bird Hunting & Conservation Stamp. Artist: Sherrie Russell Meline. Safeguarding Our Waterfowl Heritage: May 14, 2006, marks the 20th anniversary of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan- the first continental conservation plan dedicated to birds. If applicable: sign, peel, and attach to hunting license. Peel here."
Back - "North American Waterfowl Management Plan. By the mid 1980's, waterfowl populations were in crisis. Loss of habitat and a prolonged drought had caused their numbers to plummet to record lows. Waterfowl were then and are now the most prominent and economically important group of migratory birds in North America. The need to safeguard these birds was delineated in the Plan, which introduced the concept of continental conservation planning, using science to establish waterfowl population and wetlands habitat conservation goals. The Plan forged a new conservation model: public-private partnerships - called joint ventures - conserving waterfowl habitat in areas of major concern. Since 1986, Plan joint ventures have invested $3.2 billion to conserve 13.1 million acres of wetlands habitat. The joint ventures' work also benefits people - wetlands recharge groundwater supplies, abate floods, reduce soil erosion and sedimentation in our waterways, and improve water quality by filtering out pollutants. Stamps are non-refundable. Important: Sign your name in ink on the face of the stamp to use it for hunting, or as a season pass to any National Wildlife Refuge. For information on hunting and outdoor recreation opportunities on National Wildlife Refuges and other public land, visit http://www.recreation.gov/ Local hunting regulations. Please contact your state wildlife agency for information on hunting regulations. Report all bird bands 1-800-327-BAND. Amplex/Ordering-Reordering 1-800-852-4897 or www.duckstamp.com Individual Stamp Orders 1-800-STAMP24 www.duckstamp.com or http://shop.usps.com Federal Duck Stamp Office U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mail Stop MBSP-4070. 4401 North Fairfax Drive Arlington, VA 22203-1622 http://duckstamps.fws.gov"