Artist: Wildlife artist Richard Clifton of Milford, Delaware.

Title: 2007-2008 Federal Duck Stamp Print "Ring Necked Ducks".

About the Artist: Wildlife artist Richard Clifton, 44, a duck hunter from Milford, Delaware, won the 2006 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest - the oldest and most prestigious wildlife art competition in America - in Memphis, Tennessee with his depiction of a pair of swimming ring-necked ducks. His success has been marked by numerous accolades. Since 1991, when he won his first duck stamp contest, Clifton has accumulated nineteen state stamps in just eight years placing him fifth on the all-time duck stamp list for awards. Richard was selected to paint the 1996 Australian duck stamp. In 1997, he won the New Hampshire contest for the third time and in 1998, he became the first three-time winner in his home state. In 1999, Richard agreed to paint the New York and New Jersey duck stamps bringing his total number of stamps to twenty-three over all. Richard's work has been shown at the country's finest art shows.

“I’m just tickled to death,” said Clifton. “I think I’ll run around the house two or three times. It still hasn’t sunk in. It’s a big relief to win this event.”

"Richard Clifton's persistence has paid off not only for him but also for wetlands conservation," said H. Dale Hall, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "Richard's home state of Delaware may be small in size but it is on the world stage for wetlands conservation. It's not only home to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge but also to Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, a wetland of international importance."

Clifton's painting - chosen from among 297 entries from artists representing 49 states - graces the 2007-2008 Federal Duck Stamp, which went on sale in late June 2007. Clifton says the piece took about a week to complete. He is self-taught, and has painted for about 18 years. He runs The Gallery at Eastwind. The sale of Federal Duck Stamps raises approximately $25 million each year to fund wetland habitat acquisition for the National Wildlife Refuge System. The Federal Duck Stamp Contest is sponsored annually by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The competition, co-hosted by Ducks Unlimited, Greater Memphis Arts Council, and the Memphis College of Art, was surrounded by a week of public events at the Memphis College of Art. The announcement of the winning artwork also launches National Wildlife Refuge Week.