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.