Barb's Western Art Studio

05/07/2025

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

04/16/2025

In 2012, I picked up a pencil after years away from art — and it led me somewhere incredible. From my first competition at the Western Art Rodeo Association to becoming WARA's 2019 Champion in the Dry Medium category to several other Western Art shows, the journey has been filled with learning, growth, and fun! 🎨🤠
Read the full story on my blog!
🔗 BarbsWesternArt.com

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.

09/20/2023

Wowzer!!! I’m over the darn moon! I found out yesterday morning that three of my pastel paintings - “The A Team”, “Wild Secrets” and “Horse Prairie Roundup” (pictured) - have been accepted into the APA - American Plains Artists 38th Annual Juried Exhibit & Sale – ART OF THE PLAINS 2023!!

The American Plains Artists 38th Annual Juried Exhibit will be held at the Pearce Museum at Navarro College in Corsicana, TX from October 19, 2023 - January 4, 2024.

I’m incredibly honored to be included in such a talented and wonderful group of artists for an art exhibit at such an outstanding Western Art museum.

Corsicana, TX is just 45 minutes from our place in Athens, TX… who wants to go to Texas?!?! 😁

07/19/2023

On May 30th, 2023 I am thrilled to say that I was accepted as a Signature Member of CGA - Cowgirl Artists of America! For me, this is a HUGE honor and I can't tell you how grateful I am to have been accepted! Thhhhhrilled!!!

Annnnd, if you're a Western Art fan, this would be a wonderful group for you to follow... there are so many amazingly talented artists who are members of Cowgirl Artists of America and CGA is doing a fantastic job of sharing artwork and promoting the Cowgirl Artist members! Give them a follow here: https://www.facebook.com/cowgirlartistsofamerica

CGA™ Signature Member Profile⁠
Barbara Schacher

“THE "A" TEAM”
18” x 24”x 0.125”
Pastel

Horses played a significant role in Barby's childhood on the family ranch, nestled in the scenic Clearwater River Valley. Beyond riding, she sketched horses and daydreamed about them in school, occasionally earning scoldings from her teachers.

The horses she rode were primarily ranch horses, trained by her dependable father. They were used for herding cattle, venturing into the mountains for fishing in pristine lakes, and during hunting season. These horses had to be sure-footed, safe, and "kid-proof."
Barby's horses also participated in 4-H and local gymkhanas, which were the highlights of her early years. However, her parents' divorce led to the sale of the ranch, horses, and cattle. They moved to town before high school, and life took unexpected turns. It would be decades before Barby returned to art.

In 2012, Barby resumed her artistic journey, starting with graphite and later transitioning to pastels. Her talent was 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, trial, and error, and studying techniques from 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 captures 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, achieving 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. However, her true passion lies in creating meaningful pieces that tell a story.

06/29/2023

Boy-oh-boy, I’m behind on everything!!! (Including some really exciting recent artwork news) due to the remodeling work in Texas, having tons of fun, traveling, settling back in at home, etc., etc., to say the least! Anyway, the first exciting bit of artwork news I have to share with ya’ll is:

Western Art Collector Magazine: Artist Focus

This article/ad is the award I received during the 2022 American Plains Artists Show at the Fort Concho Historical Landmark and Museum in San Angelo, TX. last year for my pastel painting “Moment In The Spotlight”.

I was honored and so grateful to receive the award… Believe me, I can’t even begin to tell you what an honor it is to be chosen and then featured in the “Artist Focus” section of the June 2023 edition of WESTERN ART COLLECTOR MAGAZINE!

06/29/2023

Summer Western Art Show at Fort Concho

The second exciting bit of artwork news I have to share is that several of my pastel paintings are included in the Summer Western Art Show at Fort Concho in San Angelo, TX from June 22nd through August 6, 2023.

I’m grateful and thrilled to be one of five artists (who received People’s Choice Awards at the 2022 American Plains Artists Show at the Fort Concho Historical Landmark and Museum in San Angelo, TX. last year) to be included in this show!

Stay tuned, more to come…

01/03/2022

01/02/2022

WAOW Holiday Card Slideshow December 31, 2021 Posted by Barby WAOW, Western Art No Comments Women Artists of the West is truly a wonderful organization to be a member of… for many, many reasons! Before 2021 “exits stage left” tonight, I wanted to quickly share the wonderful video that Nori Tho...

12/24/2021

WAOW - Women Artists of the West holiday greeting... 🎄🎄🎄

Women Artists of the West's Holiday Slideshow