2011 Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp Contest

Artist Jim Taylor’s painting entitled “Misty Autumn Sunrise” is the winner of the 2011-2012 Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp Design Contest. The winning painting shows a pair of Canada Geese.

The entries were judged before a large crowd on March 26 at the 22nd Patuxent Wildlife Art Show, held at the National Wildlife Visitors Center in Laurel, Md.

Taylor has been a competing artist in Maryland’s Migratory Game Bird Stamp competition since the mid-1990s. This is the third time his entry was selected as the winning artwork. Taylor’s focus is on mid-Atlantic wildlife and includes exhibitions at the Havre de Grace Decoy Festival and Easton Waterfowl Festival.

The Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp Design Contest is the fourth oldest in the country and is restricted to Maryland residents only. The event showcases the talents of Maryland’s wildlife art while raising funds for the conservation.

Migratory game bird hunters are required to purchase these $9 stamps and the proceeds are used to fund migratory game bird research and habitat enhancement on the state’s public lands. More than $6 million in stamp sales have been spent on migratory game projects since the beginning of the stamps in 1974.

source: MD DNR

Fish and Seafood Icons of North America

Nautical icons are a vital part of American and Canadian cultures. Popular nautical icons include several fish and shellfish are found along the coasts of North America.

The Atlantic blue crab is an icon of the Chesapeake Bay. This crab is harvested by local fishermen and served locally or shipped to far away markets.

Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab by north_america

New England states such as Maine, Massachusetts, and Connecticut are proud of their seafood industries and often feature the American lobster in nautical art.

American Lobster by north_america
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In Oregon, the Dungeness crab is an icon of the state's seafood industry.

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Nova Scotia's local economy is based upon fishing and other industrial production. The Atlantic cod has become an important icon of Nova Scotian culture.

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Springtime Subjects for Nautical Art

For nautical artists, every season brings something new to inspire them. Springtime is a prime example as there are more aquatic activities than artists can possibly pursue.

Atlantic Coast beaches are always a good place for artists to find inspiration in the form of sea shells, wildlife and and other nautical subjects. After a winter of churned up ocean ocean waters, artists can visit beaches and seek out sea shells or other marine life that have been washed up.

Tide pools are another source of inspiration for artists. Clear springtime tidepools are home to an incredible array of marine life. For artists, creatures such as shorebirds, starfish, sea urchins, sand dollars, anenomes, shrimp, mussels, crabs, minnows and other inhabitants are all waiting to be photographed, painted or captured with other media.