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For Collectors
Understanding the Value of Award-Winning Art
Why Awards Matter in Western Art In the world of Western Art, recognition doesn’t come easy. When an artist earns awards—especially from juried competitions or
Category: Events
For Collectors
How to Start an Art Collection (Especially Western Art)
Original Western Art pastel paintings by Barby Schacher on display during the 2023 American Plains Art Show at the Fort Concho Museum in San Angelo, TX.
For Collectors
An Essential Collector’s Guide for Western Art: What to Know Before You Buy
The Collector’s Guide to Western Art – Pastel Paintings Everything You Need to Know to Invest in Original Western Artwork You’ll Love for a Lifetime
Creative Process Series
Why I Chose Pastel Pencils as My Medium of Choice – Part 1 of my Creative Process Series
Discover why I choose pastel pencils as my primary medium for creating realistic, emotionally rich Western art — from wildlife to horses, and everything in between. Pastel pencils offer the perfect balance of precision and softness for capturing the spirit of the American West.
Art Supplies Unboxed
Beyond the Pencils: Must Have Pastel Painting Supplies That Elevate Your Art
Essential Studio Tools That Support My Pastel Painting Process Creating detailed pastel paintings takes more than just pencils. It takes the right surface, the right
Creative Process Series
What Inspires My Western Pastel Art – Part 2 of My Creative Process Series
“Inspiration for my Western pastel art starts with a lifetime of memories—from swimming horses in the river with friends to riding into town for ice cream cones. In this post, I share how those unforgettable ranch life experiences continue to shape my creative process and guide the stories I bring to life in pastel.”
Creative Process Series
Working with Reference Photos – Part 3 of My Creative Process Series
In Part 3 of my Creative Process Series, I’m diving into how I use reference photos—not just as a guide, but as a storytelling tool. I’ll share how I select my sources, the importance of composition and lighting, and how I build a scene that feels authentic and emotionally resonant. Featuring my painting Horse Prairie Roundup, this post takes you behind the scenes from inspiration to finished work.
Art Supplies Unboxed
Pastel Pencils for Fine Detail: The Art Supplies I Rely On for My Western Art
Discover why I rely on pastel pencils for fine detail in my Western Art, including tips on brands, color selection, and tools that help me achieve rich texture and precision in every piece.
Creative Process Series
my Pastel layering process – Part 4 of My Creative Process Series
Discover how I build a pastel painting from the ground up—starting with light graphite guidelines and working in careful layers of color. In Part 4 of my Creative Process Series, I walk you through my step-by-step pastel layering process, including how I develop fine details and work around backgrounds.
Creative Process Series
Finishing a Pastel Painting – Part 5 of My Creative Process Series
Discover how I finish a pastel painting with final details, shadows, and highlights before applying fixative. Part 5 of my Creative Process Series.
Western Art
Thankful for the Dawn – Award-Winning Buffalo Pastel Painting
“Thankful for the Dawn” is an award-winning Western Art pastel painting by Barb Schacher featuring two American bison in a snowy dawn landscape. This original buffalo pastel painting earned 1st Place in the WARA Western Art competition and captures the quiet strength of wildlife in winter.
News and Events
From Pencils to Pastels: My Journey into Western Art Competitions
From early pencil sketches to award-winning pastel paintings, I share the story of how I found my place in the world of Western Art competitions — starting with the WARA and growing into national recognition.
Featured News & Events
Honored to Be Featured in Western Art Collector Artist Focus
In June 2023, I was deeply honored to be featured in the Western Art Collector Magazine Artist Focus section. This recognition followed my 2022 win of the Publisher’s Award of Excellence at the American Plains Artists Annual Juried Exhibit. My pastel painting, Moment in the Spotlight, was the centerpiece of this incredible experience, spotlighting the beauty and spirit of the Western lifestyle.
News and Events
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! Well, Christmas 2021 is in the books now. And as I write this, it’s New Year’s Eve and a brand-new year begins
WAOW
WAOW Holiday Card Slideshow
Happy Holidays! Women Artists of the West is truly a wonderful organization to be a member of… for many, many reasons! Before 2021 “exits stage
Western Art
Art of the West Award – A Tender Moment Remembered
ART OF THE WEST AWARD WAOW – Women Artist of the West 51st National Exhibition & Sale America the Beautiful February 6 – March 19,
Western Art
McCalla Award for People’s Choice
McCALLA AWARD FOR PEOPLE’S CHOICE Mountain Oyster Club 51st Annual Contemporary Western Art Show and Sale November 22, 2020 | Mountain Oyster Club Gallery |
Western Art
WAOW – 51st National Exhibition & Sale
WAOW – Women Artist of the West 51st National Exhibition & Sale America the Beautiful February 6 – March 19, 2021 | Museum of Western
Western Art
Mountain Oyster Club Art Show and Sale 2020
Mountain Oyster Club 51st Annual Contemporary Western Art Show and Sale November 22, 2020 The Mountain Oyster Club 51st Contemporary Western Art Show and Sale
WAOW
WAOW 50th Jubilee Anniversary National Exhibition & Sale
Women Artist of the West 50th Jubilee Anniversary National Exhibition & Sale Settlers West Galleries, Tucson AZ March 25 – April 17, 2020 The WAOW
News and Events
The Meaning Behind the Buckle: A Milestone in My Western Art Journey
WARA – Western Art Rodeo Association 2019 World Champion Buckle I received this beautiful WARA 2019 World Champion buckle from the Western Art Rodeo Association
News and Events
WARA 2019 Worlds Finals Results
WARA – Western Art Rodeo Association World Finals Results Barb Schacher | 2019 WARA World Champion – Dry Medium The WARA announced the Western Art
News and Events
WARA 2019 World Finals Round 2 Results
MOMENT OF SILENCE placed 1st in Round 2 of the WARA 2019 World Finals in the Dry Medium category! One more round to go for
Western Art
WARA 2019 World Finals Final Round Entry
WARA World Finals – THANKFUL FOR THE DAWN Original Pastel Painting FINAL ROUND FINAL ROUND! The 3rd and final round of the WARA 2019 World
WARA
WARA 2019 World Finals Round 2 Entry
WARA World Finals Round 2 – MOMENT OF SILENCE Original Pastel Painting My entry for Round 2 of the WARA – Western Art Rodeo Association’s
News and Events
WARA 2019 World Finals Round 1 Results
JUST A “LITTLE” CHECKUP placed 4th in Round 1 of the WARA 2019 World Finals in the Dry Medium category! Lil Duke also came in
WARA
WARA 2019 World Finals Round 1 Entry
WARA World Finals Round 1 – Just A “Little” Checkup Original Pastel Painting The WARA Western Art Rodeo Association’s World Finals starts today! There are
WAOW
Women Artists of the West 50th Anniversary Show
WAOW 50th Anniversary Show Settlers West Gallery – Tucson, Arizona I’m incredibly honored and so excited that my pastel painting, “Moment of Silence”, was accepted
Events
Mountain Oyster Club Art Show
I’m thrilled beyond belief and honored to be a part of this amazing show! The 50th Anniversary of the Mountain Oyster Club Art Show will
Western Art
Mountain Oyster Club Art Show 2019 – Barb Schacher Western Art
Award-winning Western pastel artist Barb Schacher shares her experience at the 2019 Mountain Oyster Club Art Show in Tucson. Discover her celebrated artworks and available limited edition prints.
News and Events
WARA 2019 Frontier Stampede Results – Best of Show
MOMENT OF SILENCE placed 1st in the judged portion of the WARA 2019 Frontier Stampede show during August in the Dry Medium category AND was
WARA
WARA Premium Membership
WARA FaceBook Announcement The WARA posted a really nice announcement on FaceBook that I had become a Premium Member of the WARA – Western Art
News and Events
WARA 2019 Autumn Roundup Art Show Results
COWBOY IN THE FOG placed 2nd in the judged portion of the WARA 2019 Autumn Roundup show during July in the Dry Medium category AND
News and Events
WARA 2019 Summer Shootout Art Show Results
THE POWER OF FAITH was awarded the People’s Choice Award and 1st Place in the Dry Medium category of the WARA – Western Art Rodeo
News and Events
WARA 2019 Wild West Open Art Show Results
ALL BUSINESS was awarded 2nd Place in the Dry Medium category of the WARA – Western Art Rodeo Association’s “2019 Wild West Open” online show
WARA
Voting is Now Open for the 2018 Western Jamboree!
WARA – Western Art Rodeo Association Voting is Now Open for the 2018 Western Jamboree! Just click on the photo at left to go to
WARA
Western Art Rodeo – 2018 Spring Challenge
WARA – Western Art Rodeo Association “2018 Spring Challenge” Entry Video March 29, 2018 A post shared by Western Art Rodeo Association (@westernartrodeo) on Mar
WARA
WARA – 2018 New Year Classic Results
WESTERN ART RODEO ASSOCIATION 2018 NEW YEAR CLASSIC RESULTS The results are in! And the winning entries of each division are stunning! Check them out
Western Art
WAOW “Winter Solstice” Online Show
I’m excited to announce that my pastel painting “Wintertime Prowler” won 1st Place in the Women Artists of the West “Winter Solstice” online show –
Original
“Melozi River Moose” Pencil Drawing
Title: Melozi River Moose Wildlife Pencil Drawing Dimensions (inches): 14″ x 17″ unframed Original Wildlife Pencil Drawing by Barb Schacher This is an original Wildlife
Original
“Mountain Lion Hideout” Pencil Drawing
Title: Mountain Lion Hideout Wildlife Pencil Drawing Dimensions (inches): 14″ x 17″ unframed Original Wildlife Pencil Drawing by Barb Schacher This is an original Wildlife
Original
“Black Bear On Newsome Creek” Pencil Drawing
Title: Black Bear On Newsome Creek Wildlife Pencil Drawing Dimensions (inches): 19″ x 24″ Original Wildlife Pencil Drawing by Barb Schacher This is an original
On The Drawing Board
Pencil Drawing Portrait – Step-by-Step
Pencil Drawing Portrait This pencil drawing portrait was a labor of love for me. It was also very challenging and a lot of fun! Below
On The Drawing Board
Realistic Pencil Portraits, Gift Certificate
Realistic Pencil Portraits – Engagement Portrait Gift Certificate Realistic pencil portraits are a perfect way to capture the special events in our lives in a
Pencil Drawing
Realistic Pencil Drawings and Story Telling
Realistic Pencil Drawings and Story Telling My love of realistic pencil drawings and Western Art began with a shy, young girl sketching the horses she
Western Art
Finished “Western Horseman” Commission Drawing
Title: “Just Another Western Workday” Western Art Pencil Drawing by Barb Schacher Above: Reference Photo For My Latest Pencil Drawing Finished Drawing Size: 14″
Western Art
Art Exhibit At The Cutter Theater in Metaline Falls, WA
Fantastic News! The Gallery: ERGJ Newport Exhibit At The Cutter Theater in Metaline Falls, WA Some of my newest original Western pencil art will be
Western Art
My Artwork Is On Display At The Gallery In Newport”!
Exciting News! I’m very proud to announce that some of my original pencil art will now be on display at The Gallery: ERGJ Newport in
Original
Drawing On Childhood Memories
Title: Young Rough Riders Western Art Pencil Drawing by Barb Schacher Many of my Western Art pencil drawings are of events from long ago that
On The Drawing Board
Horse Drawings Step-by-Step – “Beau”
Horse Drawings Step-by-Step ~ Two Down, One More To Go! “Beau In The Snow” is the second pencil drawing in a set of three horse
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