Don Dernovich is from Rock Springs, Wyoming. He graduated with Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Wyoming and a Masters of Fine Arts degree from Fort Hays State University in Kansas. In addition he continues to take painting workshops and seminars and has studied with Mel Gerhold, Charles Cross and Reynold Brown.

Dernovich also served two years in the Army, was an illustrator in Colorado, a coal miner in Wyoming, and has been an art educator for many years.

He has exhibited in many juried exhibitions, including Annual Arts for the Parks, National Oil Painters of America, National Academy of Design, American Watercolor Society International, National Watercolor Society, Rocky Mountain National, Watercolor USA, and many group and invitational exhibitions such as the C.M. Russell Auction and the C.M. Russell Benefit, Great Falls, Mont.; Black Foot Valley Art Auction in Lincoln, Mont.; University of Wyoming Art Museum Benefit, Laramie, Wyo.; Governor's Invitational, Nebraskaland Days, North Platte, Neb.; Ft. Robinson Professional Western/ Wild life Art Show in Estes Park, Colo.; Phippen Western Art Show in Prescott, AZ; and the Spirit of the Great Plains Invitational at the Museum of Nebraska Art, Kearney, NE.

AWARDS
First Place in Oil Painting at the Phippen Western Art Show and Sale, Memorial Day weekend 2002, in Prescott Arizona
Best Watercolor in the Western Spirits Art Show and Sale in 1994, 1996, and 1998 at the Old West Museum in Cheyenne Wyoming
2nd place in Watermedia at the Phippen Western Art Show in 1999
Best of show Purchase Award in the first juried Prairie lights Art Showcase
Artists Favorite Award in the Spirit of the Great Plains Invitational 2000 at the Museum of Nebraska Art in Kearney, Nebraska,
Doc Smith Award 1997, and Silver Award 2000 at the Black Foot Valley Art Auction in Lincoln, Montana
Peoples Favorite and Artists Favorite Awards at the Platte River Valley Western Art Show 2000, in Saratoga, Wyoming.

Dernovich was the featured artist of the "WATERCOLOR PAGE" in the October 1992 issue of the American Artist Magazine. His work is also featured in the book " IN WATERCOLOR - PLACES" published by Rockport Publishing February of 1996 and "BEST OF WATERCOLOR - PAINTING COLOR' Rockport Publishing, 1997.

Three other books feature Dernovich's work: "SPLASH 4" and "SPLASH 5" published by North Light Books and released in September of 1996 and 1998, and "PAINTING LIGHT AND SHADOW", North Light Books, 1999.

His work has also been published on several corporate calendars including the "American Horizons 1995" by Continental Insurance Corp. in cooperation with the Arts for the Parks. Dernovich was one of six invited artists to demonstrate his painting for the benefit and dedication of the new "Museum of Nebraska Art" in October of 1993.

Professional publications where he is referenced include 'Who's Who In American Art"; "Who's Who In The Midwest", "Who's Who In America", "Who's Who Among American Teachers", "American Artists of Renown", etc.

He holds memberships in the National Watercolor Society, Kansas Watercolor Society, American Watercolor Society, and the Oil Painters of America.

Dernovich intends for his work in oil and watercolor to reflect his love of nature and to provide a close look at a big world. In depicting the western landscape, the wildlife or the people; whatever the source of inspiration might be, he paints with empathy. "If my work says something about the beauty we have on this earth or the people who inhabit it, then I feel it is successful."

Don has three grown children and resides with his wife in Culbertson, Nebraska.
Biography provided to Blackhawk Gallery by the Artist