An artistic vein seems to literally run through the Makuchal family of Girdletree near Salisbury. In two consecutive years, brothers in that bloodline have won Maryland’s Migratory Waterfowl Stamp Design Contest. Most recently, Wally, 35, took the honors. Last year, his younger sibling Paul, at the time 21, won the prestigious competition.

In its 26th year, the annual design competition, more familiarly known as the duck stamp contest, is the mechanism for choosing the artwork that is reproduced in stamp form and required to be affixed to waterfowl hunting licenses. Duck stamps are also widely collected and treasured for their uniqueness and beauty. Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission sponsor the contest to inspire and promote wise management of our natural resources.

"It feels great. I love it," Wally Makuchal said. "I’ve been entering since 1990 or before, so this makes me very, very happy."

The winning piece, entitled, "Colors on Parade" is primarily an oil work with some mixed media. The background is airbrushed acrylic. In what the artist calls a “realistic style,” it depicts a male and female wood duck floating along in a calm body of water in the afternoon sun.

Makuchal said he chose wood ducks for a couple of reasons. "One, they are very beautiful birds,” the self-taught artist said. “Many think they are the prettiest of all ducks. Secondly, they had not won the contest in recent years. They have so many colors and we haven’t had a colorful stamp in a while. I hoped those flashy colors would catch the judges’ eyes."

Actually the winning entry had been viewed by panelists in previous years and was prepared for the competition four years ago, but never made the final cut. Makuchal estimates that it took him two full weeks of at least eight-hour days to finish the work.

Makuchal began drawing when he was 6-years old. By age 9, he started using colored pencils, but now favors oil paints. His pastime has led to a commercial graphic arts business where he specializes in signs and truck lettering.

Makuchal may be contacted directly for prints of his winning entry by calling (410) 632-2825. Each print sells for $140.

Maryland’s 1999-2000 duck stamp is currently under production, and will sell for $6 at any DNR service center.

Proceeds from the sale of duck stamps goes to the Wildlife Management and Protection Fund. The fund has helped finance more than 1,000 wood duck nesting boxes, wetland construction projects totaling more than 700 acres and repair and maintenance of more than 7,000 acres of existing wetlands.