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News Release

John Obolewicz wins Duck Stamp Contest; 2009 Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp Available July 1

Richmond, VA — Effective July 1, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) began selling its 2009 Virginia State Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp. The artwork for the stamp, painted by John Obolewicz, is entitled "Ring-Necked Duck" and depicts a ring-neck duck arching up with outspread wings on the water.

Obolewicz's painting was selected by a judging panel made up of Virginia Wildlife Art Director Emily Pels, Migratory Game Bird Program Manager Gary Costanzo, and Executive Director Bob Duncan of VDGIF and Randy Pennifill of NVC Delta Waterfowl, Frank Wade of Waterfowl USA, Bev Crump, Executive Committee State Council Ducks Unlimited, and Brad Puryear of Virginia Waterfowlers Association. All submitted entries were produced by Virginia artists.

John Obolewicz grew up in Sullivan County, New York, a place rich in woodlands, lakes, and near the Delaware River, which he describes as nature's schoolroom where he learned a love of the outdoors and a desire to capture its beauty in paintings. He is a graduate of New Paltz State College in New York, with an Honors Bachelor's of Fine Art degree in painting. His paintings have won numerous honors, Best in Show, First awards, prizes and ribbons in shows from Connecticut to South Carolina. His paintings have been successful auction items for Ducks Unlimited, the Ruffed Grouse Society, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and the North American Hunter Retriever Association.

Obolewicz specializes in watercolors, yet his versatility is shown in paintings of landscapes, old farms, hunting and fishing scenes, wildlife, and dog and horse portraits. Among his commissions he has done historic homes as well as the categories above.

In keeping with his love of the outdoors, John Obolewicz is an avid sportsman who enjoys fishing, hunting, golf, skiing, and boating. He and his wife Barbara and their daughter Haley reside in Powhatan, Virginia where he maintains his studio.

Stamp collectors who would like the 2009 Virginia waterfowl stamp and/or print with artwork by John Obolewicz can request it by contacting Mike Hinton at ducks@hintons.org.

Last year, 22,622 duck stamps were sold bringing in $203,598. The funds generated from all sales of the Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp are placed in the Department's Game Protection Fund and are accounted for under a separate fund designated as the Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp Fund and is used to contract with appropriate nonprofit organizations for cooperative waterfowl habitat improvement projects; to protect, preserve, restore, enhance and develop waterfowl habitat in Virginia through the department's waterfowl program; and to offset the administrative costs associated with production, issuance of, and accounting for the Stamp.

It is the mission of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to maintain optimum populations of all species to serve the needs of the Commonwealth; to provide opportunity for all to enjoy wildlife, inland fish, boating, and related outdoor recreation and to work diligently to safeguard the rights of the people to hunt, fish and harvest game as provided for in the Constitution of Virginia; to promote safety for persons and property in connection with boating, hunting and fishing; to provide educational outreach programs and materials that foster an awareness of and appreciation for Virginia's fish and wildlife resources, their habitats, and hunting, fishing and boating opportunities.

For more information on waterfowl hunting in Virginia, visit the Department's Web site at www.dgif.virginia.gov.

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A photograph of the artist with the painting, of the judging panel with the painting and of the painting itself that will become the duck stamp are available by contacting Lee.Walker@dgif.virginia.gov or Julia.Dixon@dgif.virginia.gov.