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A pair of local artists finished one-two in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources annual waterfowl stamp contest.

Albert Lea artist Mark Kness won the contest with an acrylic painting of a ring-neck duck, while Austin’s Jake Levisen earned second place with a ring-neck duck painting done in open acrylics, soft body acrylics and water-mixable oils. 

Third place went to Stephen Hamrick of Lakeville with a painting of a ring-neck duck done in acrylic on illustration board. 

The winners were selected out of 13 eligible submissions. The waterfowl stamp can be purchased in combination with a hunting license or as a collectible. Visit the Minnesota DNR website (mndnr.gov/stamps) for more information about habitat stamps and contest guidelines.