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Ernie
Marsh

Ernie Marsh
Bit & Spur Maker and Silversmith
Lovell, WY
2016 USA Fellow

This award is generously supported by Katie Weitz, PhD.
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Ernie Marsh has been a Bit & Spur maker and silversmith for the last 26 years. Born in 1962 in Mt. View California, his interest in horses, the American west and the cowboy lifestyle goes back to his early childhood. He pursued every opportunity to be able to ride and work with horses doing all forms of jobs to earn that experience. His other interests included art, pencil drawing and wood sculpture. It was taking a job as a working ranch cowboy that sparked his interest in the fancy tools of the cowboy trade, the silver bits and spurs. His hardworking background includes ranching, rodeo competition, and timber falling. He has pursued his artwork since 1990 with the same required intensity and desire to learn, master skills and improve his pieces. In 1998 he had the honor of being selected as a founding member of The Traditional Cowboy Arts Association. Since then he has exhibited his work annually at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Ok., this has lead to opportunities to teach others through seminars and classes as well as one on one mentorships at his own shop in Wyoming.

Portrait photo courtesy the artist. 

spanishspade.com
  • Artwork by Ernie Marsh
    “Humming Bird”, 2010. Multi-colored humming bird in 14k yellow, green and rose gold and silver. Photo courtesy of National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.
  • Artwork by Ernie Marsh
    “Dragonfly”, 2009. 24k and 18k inlaid gold with sculpted steel floral elements. Photo courtesy of National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.
  • Artwork by Ernie Marsh
    “Colonial style spurs”, 2014. Photo courtesy of National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.
Artwork by Ernie Marsh Artwork by Ernie Marsh Artwork by Ernie Marsh