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Capturing the Exhaustion—and the Hope—of a Challenging Season
In 2021, my pastel painting Just Exhausted received the Art of the West Award during the Women Artists of the West (WAOW) 51st National Exhibition & Sale, held at the Museum of Western Art in Kerrville, Texas. The show, titled America the Beautiful, featured work from some of the most talented women in Western art, and it was an incredible honor to be included—let alone recognized.
The Heart Behind "Just Exhausted"
This piece is especially close to my heart. Created during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Just Exhausted came from a deep emotional place. Like many others, I was feeling the mental and physical weight of uncertainty, isolation, and collective fatigue. The image of a mare and her foal, their faces gently resting together in a moment of quiet tenderness, spoke volumes. It was a scene of pure connection, vulnerability, and rest.
That expression of exhaustion, softened by love and trust, captured what I believe many of us were feeling at the time—tired, but held. Fragile, but together.
I worked carefully to bring that sentiment to life in pastel, focusing on the warmth of their expressions, the closeness of their bond, and the softness of the moment.
A Recognition That Moved Me
To have this particular painting honored by Art of the West magazine at such a prestigious exhibition meant more than I can say. The award wasn’t just a nod to technique—it felt like an acknowledgment of the emotion behind the piece, the universal weariness we were all coming through, and the healing power of connection.
Medium: Pastel on Pastelbord
Unframed Size: 14″ x 11″
Framed Size: 23½” x 20½”
Framed & Ready to Hang
Signed by the Artist: Barby Schacher
Reference Photo: Used with permission from Karen Broemmelsick
🏆 Awarded the Art of the West Award – WAOW 51st National Exhibition & Sale, 2021
