"Blue-winged Teal at Santee Coastal Reserve"
by Jim Killen

28th Annual S.C. Duck Stamp
Second of Artist Series Featuring Jim Killen

January 2008

Nationally acclaimed wildlife artist Jim Killen's print, "Blue-winged Teal at Santee Coastal Reserve," chosen by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources as the 2008 South Carolina Duck Stamp print, goes on sale July 1st, 2008. The S.C. Migratory Waterfowl
Committee and DNR commissioned Killen to do a series of four originals through 2010.

The print features a blue-winged teal and black labrador retriever imposed over a view of the Santee Coastal Reserve in McClellanville, SC. The 24,000-acre reserve is a Wildlife Management Area which includes two barrier islands accessible only by boat.

Killen, who has reaped national and international awards, was also honored three times as the "International Artist of the Year" for Ducks Unlimited. The quality and distinctive style of his art has generated millions of dollars for numerous conservation groups such as Ducks Unlimited International, Pheasants Forever, Quail Unlimited and the National Wild Turkey Federation. He was also named Southeastern Wildlife Expo "Artist of the Year" in 1987. Born and raised in
Minnesota, the pheasant fields and prairie potholes inspired him to strive to preserve these gifts of nature for future generations. Killen's three-story studio overlooks the 160 acres he has developed into a wildlife management area, focusing on waterfowl, pheasant, wild turkey and deer. A favorite project for Killen is perpetuating the forest. Over the years, he has planted more than 30,000 trees on his property.

© 2008 Arcadia Publications of Columbia, Inc