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“Moment of Silence” by Barby Schacher
How I Got Started in Western Art Competitions: My Path to Pastels and Recognition
In 2012, after years away from the easel, I picked up a pencil and started drawing again. At first, it was simply for the joy of creating. I had no idea that a few years later, I’d be entering national Western Art Competitions—or that my work would go on to win awards and recognition.
Discovering the WARA – Western Art Rodeo Association
In 2018, I discovered the Western Art Rodeo Association (WARA) and decided to enter a few of their online competitions with the graphite drawings I was working on at the time. That step changed everything for me. It opened the door to competing in serious Western Art Competitions for the first time—and I found myself hooked.
People’s Choice Award – “Winter’s Paint” (2018)
One of those early drawings, Winter’s Paint, received the People’s Choice Award in the WARA 2018 World Finals – Round 1. That recognition gave me the confidence to keep going and explore new mediums.
“Winter’s Paint” graphite pencil drawing by Barby Schacher
“Winter’s Paint” pastel painting by Barby Schacher
My Pastel Painting Journey Begins
Around that same time, I started teaching myself how to paint with pastels. I was fascinated by the vibrant colors and painterly feel that artists were achieving with this medium. I studied their process by watching YouTube videos and began practicing on my own.
One of the first things I did to practice with pastels was print a copy of my original pencil drawing Winter’s Paint (shown in the photo on the left above). I used pastel pencils to layer over it, creating what became the pastel version shown on the right. It wasn’t meant to be a finished piece—it was just a quick way to experiment with color and get a feel for how pastel pencils worked. By building on a drawing I already knew well, I could focus entirely on learning the medium instead of starting from scratch.
That simple experiment with Winter’s Paint gave me the confidence to keep exploring pastels. I kept practicing, learning as I went—and before long, I felt ready to share my new work. Practicing with pastels gave me the confidence to start entering them into Western Art Competitions, even though I still felt like a newcomer in the medium.
To learn more about my pastel process, check out my creative journey.
Competing in WARA with Pastel Paintings
By 2019, I was entering my new pastel paintings into the WARA Western Art competitions—and I was honestly elated (and a little shocked) when they started placing well, especially considering the incredible talent I was up against.
“Moment of Silence” – Best of Show (August 2019)
Moment of Silence was awarded Best of Show and 1st Place in the Dry Medium category during the WARA 2019 Frontier Stampede online show in August. It later won 1st Place in Round 2 of the WARA World Finals in December 2019.
WARA 2019 Champion – Dry Medium
In December 2019, I was named WARA 2019 World Champion in the Dry Medium category. That recognition came after a year filled with award-winning entries, including Moment of Silence and Thankful for the Dawn.
“Thankful for the Dawn” by Barby Schacher
“Cowboy in the Fog” – People’s Choice Award
Cowboy in the Fog received the People’s Choice Award and 2nd Place – Dry Medium in the 2019 Autumn Roundup. It was an emotional piece for me, and I was honored that others connected with it too.
“Cowboy in the Fog” by Barby Schacher
“The Power of Faith,” “All Business,” and Other Awarded Works
Other award-winning works included The Power of Faith (1st Place – Summer Shootout), All Business (2nd Place – Wild West Open), and of course, Winter’s Paint from 2018, which got things rolling.
Friendships and Doors Opened Through Art
One of the most meaningful parts of this journey has been the friendships I’ve made along the way. I became friends with fellow artist Cheryl Harley Volz, whose art and deep faith I admire so much. Cheryl has not only inspired me but also guided me toward opportunities I hadn’t imagined. These connections have truly enriched my creative life.
Juried Into National Art Organizations
With encouragement and support, I submitted my pastel paintings to several respected national art shows and organizations. I was accepted as an Associate Member of WAOW – Women Artists of the West. Later, I became a Signature Member of Cowgirl Artists of America—a real honor, as most artists begin as Associate members first.
If you’re a woman artist interested in Western or representational art, I highly recommend checking out WAOW – Women Artists of the West and Cowgirl Artists of America. Both organizations have been a huge part of my journey and offer encouragement, opportunities, and an amazing community of like-minded women.
Why These Experiences Matter to Me
Entering these Western Art competitions and receiving recognition has been a blessing—but the real reward has been the encouragement of fellow artists and friends. Meeting others who share my passion, my values, and my love of Western life has brought deep joy to my creative journey.
A New Chapter in My Artistic Journey
I’ve always loved art. But being part of these competitions, winning a few awards, and receiving kind words from friends and fellow artists has made it all the more meaningful. There’s something special about having your work recognized by people who truly understand your passion — especially when they’re personal friends or other cowgirl and cowboy artists who also love the American West.
This is how I found myself not only creating Western pastel art, but also entering national fine art shows and becoming part of a larger community of artists. I’m thankful for every step of this unexpected journey — and excited to keep going. I never imagined how much these Western Art Competitions would shape my growth as an artist and connect me with such a meaningful community.
If you’re just discovering my work, or you’ve been following along for a while, I’d love to connect with you. You can browse my latest pastel paintings here, or follow along on Pinterest and Instagram.
Thanks for stopping by! 🤠🎨
— Barby Schacher
