Page 41 - Flathead Beacon // 8.17.16

her corneas with di erent lenses. The surgeries worked, and Berniklau once again has the ability to see. She said in some ways the experience and proce- dures have helped her art.
“It actually helps me pay closer atten- tion to the edges of the images I’m work- ing on, and that makes me focus,” she said.
Then, through the 1990s and early 2000s, she struggled to raise a child as a single mother. Through it all, art remained a cornerstone in her life. In the late-2000s, she started to do oil paintings and quickly discovered a pas- sion for painting scenes of the Old West, especially those with cowboys and Native Americans. Berniklau said she likes to focus on the lesser-known side of the Old West’s characters, especially their family lives.
“I want to bring to life the stories within the stories we’ve heard,” she said, adding that she considers herself a sto- ryteller as much as a painter.
Berniklau has earned numerous awards and accolades. But she said one of her favorite honors so far was being asked to take part in the Hockaday’s Timeless Legacy exhibit. The Kalispell museum rst held the female-focused exhibit in 2015, and it was so popular they decided to do it again. Among the artists featured are Stephanie Campos, Nancy Dunlop Cawdrey and Krystii Melaine.
“It’s such a huge honor to be a part of this show,” she said.
For more information, visit www. hockadaymuseum.org.
jfranz@ atheadbeacon.com
Kyle Dean, a singer and songwriter from White sh, has released a new solo album, a ve-song EP titled “Firelight & Whiskey.”
Dean has been in the spotlight for his country-folk music, playing in the suc- cessful duo Dean & Riley with Amber Thornton. The two made it to the stage at the Majestic Valley Arena Country Showdown, and they released their rst album, “Clouds Roll By,” last fall.
A solo acoustic project, Dean’s “Fire- light & Whiskey” was recorded at Snow- Ghost Studio in White sh and pro- duced and engineered by studio owner Brett Allen, whose previous clients at the studio include Yo La Tengo, Death Cab for Cutie, The Avett Brothers, and more.
Kyle Dean. PHOTO COURTESY OF TIFFANY MAHAN
Deborah Berniklau.
COURTESY PHOTO
THE MARQUEE WHAT TO READ, SEE AND APPRECIATE WHITEFISH MUSICIAN KYLE DEAN
AUGUST 17, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
41
RELEASES SOLO ALBUM
Dean has a show on Aug. 19 at the Great Northern Bar in White sh. For more show, music, and general information on Kyle Dean, visit www.kyledeanmusic.com.
Have a gallery opening? Just published a new book or album? If you would like to be featured in the “Marquee,” email information to news@ atheadbeacon.com