Born in 1964, James Hautman grew up in an artistic family surrounded by nature. He burst onto the wildlife art scene

in 1989, when at age 25, he became the youngest ever winner of the prestigious Federal Duck Stamp Contest. He has gone

on to win the 1995, 1999, and 2011 Federal contests. In addition to his four Federal Duck Stamp wins, he has painted more

than 20 state conservation stamp designs and the 1990 Australian duck stamp. In 1991 he was named Ducks Unlimited

International Artist of the Year and recently won the award again in 2010 with his painting “First Light- Canvasbacks”

(see photo above). Pheasant Forever has also selected him as Artist of the Year for the years 1993,2004,2008, and 2010.

In 2002 he was commissioned by the United Nations to paint a series of birds for their endangered species stamp collection.

Publications such as Time magazine, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal have featured articles on his work. Jim’s artwork

has been displayed in the Oval Office of the White House, the Smithsonian Institution, the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum,

the United Nations and in public and private collections throughout the world. Jim and his wife Dorothy live in Minnesota.