About Barby Schacher – Western Pastel Artist

Rooted in the West, Painted from the Heart

I didn’t set out to become an artist; I was born into the rhythms of ranch life. Growing up on a cattle ranch overlooking the Clearwater River in North Central Idaho, the strength of a horse, the gaze of a calf, and the quiet determination of a cowboy became integral parts of my world—moments that now inspire my art.

One such moment is captured in my painting, Cowboy in the Fog. The reference photo was taken by my lifelong friend, Gail, depicting her brother herding cattle. Our shared experiences at local gymkhanas in our small community deepened my appreciation for the authentic cowboy and cowgirl lifestyle that Gail’s family embodies. Having known them since childhood, their genuine connection to ranch life continues to influence my work profoundly.

Working primarily in pastels, I strive to capture the essence of the subjects that define the Western spirit. My paintings focus on the individuals—the animals and people—who embody the heart of the West. Each piece is a tribute to their stories, rendered with attention to detail and a deep respect for their roles in ranch life.

My work has been honored in various exhibitions, including the 50th Annual Mountain Oyster Club Contemporary Art Show & Sale in Tucson, AZ. Cowboy in the Fog received the People’s Choice Award and 2nd Place in the Dry Medium category at the Western Art Rodeo Association’s 2019 Autumn Roundup.

If you’ve ever felt a connection to the steadfast gaze of a horse or the quiet strength of a rancher, I invite you to explore my collection. Through my art, I aim to share the stories and spirit of the West that continue to inspire me every day.

Art Association Memberships

Barby is a member of CGA – Cowgirl Artists of America – Signature Member, WAOW – Women Artists of the West – Associate Member, and APA – American Plains Artists – Associate Member.

Equestrian Art, Western Art & Wildlife Art

Experience, Accomplishments and Awards

In 2012, after many years, I started drawing again with graphite pencil on paper. The following year, I was honored to have some of my graphite drawings published… a few as a Featured Artist in Artsy Shark and another one in Strokes of Genius: The Best of Drawing.

A few years later, I began painting with pastel pencils on Pastelbord. Eventually, I entered some of my pastel paintings in the WARA Western Art Roundup Association’s year-long western art competition and was awarded the 2019 WARA Championship Belt Buckle in the Dry Medium category of the 2019 Western Art Rodeo Association competition.

Since then, I have also been very honored (and thrilled!) to receive awards for my pastel paintings such as the McCalla Award for People’s Choice at the 2020 Mountain Oyster Club 51st Anniversary Western Art Show, the Art of the West Award at the 2021 Women Artists of the West 51st National Exhibition, and the Publisher’s Award of Excellence – from Western Art Collector magazine during the 2022 APA – American Plains Artists Annual Juried Exhibit & Sale.

The Creative Process

Ahhh… the FUN part! Drawing has always been a passion… as enjoyable to me now as riding horses was way back when. I’m basically a “self-taught” artist having no formal training. Instead, in addition to what I truly feel is – above all – a God-given talent, like so many artists, I’ve developed my own artistic style through hours of practice, lots of “trial and error” and by observing and experimenting with the techniques of other artists I admire.

Growing up around horses and cattle has given me an edge, in a way… it allowed me to become extremely familiar with their anatomy, characteristics, and their unique personalities… and, YES, they each definitely have their own, unique personality!

That early experience is what enables me to paint them very detailed and accurately, capturing emotions like the curiosity of a baby calf or the love and bonding between a mare and her newborn filly in my pastel paintings today.

I love detail and spending lots of time meticulously creating my pastel paintings in layers. I use very sharp pastel pencils which enables me to paint detailed, realistic pastel paintings. I also use crystal clear reference photos as a guide for my artwork that I’ve chosen because of the wonderful and challenging detail.

Another top consideration for choosing reference photos is the amount of contrast between the light and dark areas in the piece that can add so much drama or interest to a finished pastel painting.

In addition, the combinations of colors that I feel complement each other in ways that create an overall eye-pleasing pastel painting are very important to me. And last but certainly not least, creating artwork that has special meaning (whether personal or in general) and art pieces that have a “story-to-tell” are my personal favorites!

Barb’s Western Art

6071 Bead Lake Rd.
Newport, WA 99156
Ph: (509) 671-2606

Barby Schacher | Western Art Pastel Artist

Barby Schacher is a pastel artist who specializes in Western Art. Inspiration for her artwork comes from growing up on a cattle ranch overlooking the picturesque Clearwater River Valley.

Horses played a significant role in Barby’s childhood. Beyond riding, she constantly sketched horses and daydreamed about them in school. The horses she rode were ranch horses trained by her father. However, they were also used in 4-H, gymkhanas, and local rodeos, which were the highlights of her early years. Unfortunately, her parents’ divorce led to the sale of the ranch, horses, and cattle. They moved to town before high school, and life took several unexpected turns. It would be decades before Barby returned to art.⁠

In 2012, Barby resumed her artistic journey. Since then, her talent has been acknowledged through published graphite drawings, and she has received awards for her pastels.⁠

As a self-taught artist, Barby passionately engages in drawing. Through practice, and by studying the techniques of admired artists, she has honed her skills. Growing up with horses and cattle provided her with a profound understanding of their anatomy, characteristics, and personalities, allowing her to depict them accurately in her pastel paintings. She also loves to capture emotions like the curiosity of a calf or the bond between a mare and her filly.⁠

Barby meticulously layers her pastel paintings using sharp pencils to achieve detailed and realistic results. She carefully selects reference photos with intricate details and plays with light and dark contrast to enhance visual interest. Harmonious color combinations are crucial to her eye-pleasing artworks. She also loves creating meaningful pieces that tell a story.⁠

Barby is a member of the CGA – Cowgirl Artists of America – Signature Member, WAOW – Women Artists of the West – Associate Member and the APA – American Plains Artists – Associate Member.