A painting by John N. Harris of Groveland, Fla. has been chosen as the winner of the 2025 California Duck Stamp Art Contest. The painting, which depicts a cinnamon teal, will be the official design for the 2025-2026 stamp.
The judging was held at the end of June. The judges were immediately struck by the realism of the painting, almost as if the bird were alive. They noted the spot-on dimensions, specifically the shape of the head, and the perfect, finely detailed feathers. This attention to detail was also seen in little additions throughout the painting, such as the faint reflection of the teal’s eye in the water, its indistinct leg visible beneath the surface, and the patches of bubbles in the swells. The watery background, with enough detail to provide an interesting visual element in itself, put the teal center stage, highlighting its cinnamon color and making it pop for a stamp.
Harris, who is now a three-time winner of California’s Duck Stamp Art Contest, was excited for this year’s stamp. He had never painted a cinnamon teal before, though they had been on his radar for some time.
“Over the last few years, we've had a few cinnamon teal overwinter at our local Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, so I was able to observe a couple individuals and take some beautiful photographs of them,” he said. One particular bird, however, caught his eye. “The color was amazing when the sun hit it right and it just glowed. How can an artist have any better inspiration than that? He was an absolute jewel to watch, feeding and jousting with all the local blue wings.”
Harris’s first goal was to make the setting and water as realistic as possible. “I really wanted to make it look like you could just dip your hand right into it,” he said.
Once that was done, he started on the bird. He began with the eye to bring life to the painting and inspire him moving forward. It took a few tries, but he eventually created an eye that looked natural and alive, and the rest of the painting fell into place.
“I knew it was one of my most outstanding waterfowl paintings yet. It will be a great honor to have my artwork help conservation work and protect waterfowl and habitat in the great state of California once again.”
Artists from around the country submitted entries for the contest, sponsored by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Frank Dolphens of Omaha, Neb., placed second, Jeffrey Klinefelter of Etna Green, Ind., placed third and Brian Murillo of Norwalk, Iowa, received honorable mention.
The top four paintings will be displayed at the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association’s Annual Classic Wildlife Art Festival in Sacramento July 12-13.
Since 1971, the California Duck Stamp Program’s annual contest has attracted top wildlife artists from around the country. The contest is open to artists from all 50 states in order to ensure a wide pool of submissions. All proceeds generated from stamp sales go directly to waterfowl conservation projects within California.
In the past, hunters were required to purchase and affix the stamp to their hunting licenses. Today, hunters are no longer required to carry the stamps because California’s modern licensing system prints proof of additional fees paid directly onto the license. However, CDFW still produces the stamps, which can be requested on CDFW’s website at wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/collector-stamps.
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Media Contacts:
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858
Melanie Weaver, CDFW Wildlife Branch