Artist Deborah Berniklau Featured in Exhibit Celebrating American National Park Service's 100th Birthday

The work of New Mexico's story teller and Western art sensation Deborah Berniklau will be at the Hockaday Museum - "A Timeless Legacy" Premiere Art Event & Sale, Aug. 13, 2016, 5:30 - 8:30 PM. Her work will remain on display with the "Women of Glacier National Park" Exhibit Aug. 13 through Sept. 10.

Originally from New Mexico, Berniklau graduated with a BFA in illustration from the prestigious Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, Calif. She studied with world-famous Burne Hogarth, a friend and colleague of Norman Rockwell. After college she illustrated for companies such as Disney, Warner Bros. and NASA.

"I've represented stories of the real West for years," said Berniklau. "Consulting Native American friends and Western Historians, I capture life beyond Hollywood's lens." This makes her a fitting artist to help celebrate the 100th birthday of the National Park Service. "Montana treasures the history and authenticity that I depict in emotional portrayals of Western family life and the American Frontier."

In 1991, Berniklau was diagnosed with Keratoconus, an incurable corneal eye disease that can cause distorted and complete loss of vision. With her art career in great jeopardy, she went through a number of procedures and surgeries before her corneas were stabilized. Struggling to make ends meet, she raised her son as a newly single mom while trying to sustain a full-time art career. Perseverance helped her overcome obstacle after obstacle. Deborah remained diligent, kept faith, and fell in love with western themes soon painting them with great passion and skill. She has studied with master artists, including Huihan Liu, Carolyn Anderson, Daniel Gerhartz, and Jeffrey R. Watts.

Berniklau's work captures the essence of the Old West, embracing the precision of the anatomy of her subjects.

She has been featured in national publications such as Western Art & Architecture, Southwest Art Magazine and Western Art Collector. Oil Painters of America awarded her their Western Regional Gold Medal for her "Patiently Waiting" 16" x 20" Oil. Her paintings have been featured in renowned shows across the country and her works reside with patrons and collectors internationally.

"'Can I Keep Him' remains prominently displayed in my home," said art collector Ed Hicks. "I can't tell you how many times my wife just stops and comments on that painting. I feel extremely fortunate to be the buyer, especially since there was such interest in the painting."

"The Courtship" 30" x 24" Oil on Linen (signature piece) and "A Sudden Detour" 12" x 16" Oil (miniature) are two of three paintings on display for the show.

About Deborah Berniklau Western Fine Art: Deborah Berniklau Western Fine Art was established as a DBA in 2011. The company was founded by Deborah Berniklau, who designs and paints original western fine art oil paintings for galleries, museums, art shows and commissioned work internationally. For more information visit www.facebook.com/DeborahBerniklau or www.deborahfuelberth.com.