Personal Narratives in Pastel on Sandpaper

Barbara Rachko, barbararachko.art, is an American contemporary artist, based in New York City, who is best known for her remarkable pastel-on-sandpaper paintings. She is represented by galleries in London, Sweden, India, and the United States.

Her pastel paintings are bold, striking, and powerful. For nearly four decades, she has been “Revolutionizing Pastel as Fine Art!”

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Maestro, soft pastel on sandpaper, 26″ x 20″ Image, 35″ x 28.5″ framed

Barbara uses her large collection of Mexican and Guatemalan folk art – masks, carved wooden animals, papier-mâché figures, and toys – to create one-of-a-kind pastel-on-sandpaper paintings that combine reality and fantasy and depict personal narratives.

In 2017 she began work on a series called “Bolivianos”, using as source material her stunning photographs of a mask exhibition at the Museum of Ethnography and Folklore in La Paz.

Narcissist, soft pastel on sandpaper, 20″ x 26″ image, 28.5″ x 35″ framed

“Barbara Rachko: True Grit”, a recent short documentary, tells the inspiring story of a Master Pastel Artist who overcame gender barriers and a deep tragic loss to forge a path that is uniquely her own. It was filmed in Arizona, New Mexico, Virginia, New Jersey, and New York City.

The World Premier was on Oct. 14, 2023 at the 2023 Newport Beach Film Festival, where the film won both the Audience Award and Best in Category for Art, Architecture, and Design. The 14 minute documentary is available on YouTube. (Link is provided below)

Sacrificial, soft pastel on sandpaper, 58″ x 38″ image, 70″ x 50″ framed

Apricus Art Collection, while promoting her documentary, said, “Barbara Rachko’s art is a mesmerizing fusion of pastel and photography, creating striking and thought-provoking images that resonate with viewers on a profound level. Her work has been celebrated for its ability to evoke emotion, stimulate the imagination, and inspire creativity. Through her art, Barbara has touched the hearts and minds of countless individuals.”

The Mentalist, soft pastel on sandpaper, 26″ x 20″ image, 35″ x 28.5″ framed

Cultured Focus Magazine recently said, “Barbara Rachko is making industry waves. She is a modern-day Renaissance woman, seamlessly blending her talents as a visual artist, author, and expert in Mexican and Guatemalan folk art. Her work serves as a captivating intersection where creativity and culture collide, creating a vibrant tapestry of artistic expression.”

Shadow, soft pastel on sandpaper, 26″ x 20″ image, 35″ x 28.5″ framed

One of Barbara’s works of art was selected for “The Healing Power of Color” 2024 Invitational Exhibition presented by The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS, an initiative of Manhattan Arts International.

Articles on this website that include Barbara and her artwork are  Art With Faces and Figures by Artist Members and Master Artists and Art Transforms Rooms.

Banner image: Detail of Acolytes, soft pastel on sandpaper, 38″ x 58″ image, 50″ x 70″ framed.

Visit Barbara Rachko’s website barbararachko.art
Visit her blog barbararachkoscoloreddust.com
Barbara’s wikipedia biography en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Rachko.

“Barbara Rachko: True Grit” documentary youtube.com/watch?v=JJWLy84kXI0

Join Barbara Rachko on Social Media
Facebook.com/barbararachko
Linkedin.com/in/barbararachko
Instagram.com/barbararachko_artist
Twitter.com/brachko_artist