Art teacher Lonnie Collinsworth has his ducks in a row, framed and displayed along a wall in his classroom at Whitefish High School.

The duck and waterfowl prints are past entries his art students have submitted for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Junior Duck Stamp contest over the past 12 years. This year, his daughter and art student, 16-year-old Kendyl, won Best of Show at the state level.

Her painting of a wood duck will go on to the national competition in Maryland this month.

This is the second consecutive year the Whitefish sophomore has received Best in Show.

Entering the Junior Duck Stamp contest is not only a tradition in the art department, but also in the Collinsworth family.

Kendyl has entered the contest since second grade.

“Last year was going to be the last year [I entered],” she said, smiling.

But, like old habits, family traditions die hard.

“When January rolls around, we know it’s time to do the duck contest,” Kendyl said.

Lonnie’s sons, Carson, 14, and Conner, 7, also entered this year. Eighth-grader Carson painted a hooded merganser, while first-grader Conner painted a goldeneye. Both won first place in their respective age divisions at the state level.

The Collinsworths usually go out and take multiple photos of different ducks and scenery. The backgrounds in the paintings aren’t always the same as where the ducks were photographed. Merging two images is tricky, especially getting light and shadow to match, Lonnie said.

Neither ornithologists nor bird watchers, the Collinsworths still have an appreciation for nature and art and have an eye for detail.

Details are important when it comes to being judged by local wildlife experts, which is why it is imperative to have sharp images.

“If the photo is fuzzy or not detailed enough and you have to make it up as you go, that’s not good,” Lonnie said. “It’s amazing how competitive the junior division is. It is just as competitive as the senior, or professional, division.”

At times, painting so realistically is tedious, from accurately depicting feather texture and depth of color to painting rippled reflections on water, Kendyl said.

She clocked 60 hours on her painting using oils and acrylics. Kendyl has her process down pat.

“I paint the background first,” she said. “It’s way easier than painting around the duck.”

Kendyl is quite familiar with realism through her art class assignments. In beginning high school art classes, students are taught fundamental drawing skills, which means they are often creating traditional portraitures and still lifes.

Former student Nathan Closson, whose painting of male and female mallards won at the national level and was featured on a 2002-03 federal duck stamp, introduced Lonnie to the Junior Duck Stamp contest.

Some may think the stamp is a postage stamp, but it’s not used to send mail. The winning Junior Duck Stamp artwork will be used on a $5 conservation stamp, proceeds of which benefit waterfowl and habitat education.

Bob Danley, Montana Junior Duck Stamp contest coordinator and outdoor recreation planner, said the purpose of the contest at the junior level is to create a relationship in education between art and conservationism.

“We want to connect kids to nature, to get outside, get a little dirty, get a little wet and see what’s out there,” he said. “Lonnie is dedicated to students, and his involvement in the duck stamp contest is impressive.”

Hundreds of students entered the state competition, now in its 20th year, but only one from each state goes on to be judged nationally.

“A lot of kids are trying to discover their talents. Who knows, maybe one will be the next John James Audubon,” Danley said.

For more information about the Montana Junior Duck Stamp contest, call (406) 777-5552 extension 203.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.