Area youngster places in state stamp contest

Tyler Davidson draws a bass in pencil during his art class at Uniontown High School. Davidson recently took second place in the Junior Duck Stamp contest. (Ruth Campbell/Tribune)

UNIONTOWN -- Although fishing is what he enjoys most, it's ducks that have gained Uniontown High School junior Tyler Davidson statewide notice.

Davidson came in second in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest. Each state holds an annual contest for all age groups with first, second and third-place winners selected for each group. "Best of Show" state winners participate in a national competition for scholarship money and prizes.

Davidson's teacher, Chris Woods, told him about the contest.

The student googled and came up with the feathered friend he wanted to immortalize. The colored-pencil drawing had to be done on 8 1/2 by 11 paper. Davidson created it in class. He prefers plain pencil as a rule, but he made an exception this time.

"You just had to draw any duck that lived in Kansas and I chose the wood duck because it looked cool," Davidson said. "I spend a lot of time outdoors. I know where to look. I've never been duck hunting, but I hunt deer and all that. And I fish; that's my main passion."

The top 100 winners in Kansas -- first, second, third place and honorable mention -- receive a congratulatory prize package, plus ribbon and certificates. Everyone who submits an entry receives certificates of participation and appreciation, the state junior duck stamp contest website said.

When he heard from Woods that he'd come in second in the contest, Davidson was "pretty surprised, because I knew there were like 800 people who entered."

Davidson has thousands of drawings inspired by his love of the outdoors. "I actually have a box here that's got probably 200 art drawings in it," he said. "I draw basically anything, but probably my main thing is ... fishing and deer -- sometimes cartoons, but mostly realistic."

The youngster said he's "drawn since I could hold a pencil."

"I just kind of enjoy it. It's kind of relaxing, just the feeling of being able to create something that's coming from your mind," he said.

Davidson is the son of Russ and Raquel Davidson. His younger brother, Caleb, is in seventh grade in Uniontown and his sister, Tara, attends Neosho County College in Chanute.

For his part, Woods is thrilled for his student and noted Davidson was about the only public school winner in the bunch. Most of the others were private or home schooled.

Woods said Davidson's drawings are done in photorealism -- they resemble a photo. "He's kind of got a talent for that," Woods said.

Woods' students recently participated in the Labette College, Three Rivers Art League and Uniontown art shows.