Pablo Lozano
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pablo Lozano started learning about braiding at the age of fifteen. Family tradition tied him into Argentina’s cattle heritage since the 19th century. After graduating from the Champagnat College in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Lozano started studying the art of rawhide braiding under the tutelage of Don Luis Alberto Flores. Since the beginning of his career, Lozano’s traditional rawhide braiding has been recognized for its reliability and distinctive appearance, attributable to his individual style and creative talent. “Rawhide not only needs to look good but must be dependable and functional.”
Lozano has performed as an “ad honorem” instructor at the Heritage Center in the City of Tandil, where he has permanently resided since 1985. Lozano has mentored several aspiring rawhide braiders in Tandil, Argentina. He believes in the concept of apprenticeships to educate and safeguard Gaucho’s cultural legacy.
In 2004, Lozano and rawhide braider Armando Deferrari were invited to join a rawhide braiding seminar organized and sponsored by the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association (TCAA) and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Lozano began studying cowboy trade tools and, in 2008, became one of TCAA’s first international members. Lozano’s rawhide braiding has Been exhibited internationally, received numerous awards and accolades, and received coverage in various publications.
Since 2004 Lozano has participated as instructor in rawhide braiding seminars sponsored by the TCAA and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and during the Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. Has instructed during rawhide braiding seminars sponsored by the Idaho Commission of the Arts in Boise & Salmon, Idaho. Has also instructed during the annual Rawhiders Reunion organized by Mr. Clint Haverty at the National Ropers Supply (NRS) in Decatur, Texas and the Rawhider’s Retreat organized by Nate Wald in Chico Hot Springs, Montana.
Lozano has hosted braiders from the United States and across the globe in his shop and studio. Lozano has influenced U.S. braiders, who now incorporate Argentine techniques like “Trenza Patria” into their rawhide work.
Shawn Didyoung
Shawn Didyoung is a master goldsmith with part-time engagement in Western silversmithing and custom engraving. Didyoung’s time as a working cowboy in Texas and New Mexico instilled in him a deep appreciation for handmade gear. As a result, he was motivated to pursue a career in silversmithing due to his desire for high-quality, artisan-crafted items. Didyoung takes great pleasure in sharing his expertise in Western silversmithing and in helping others who have an interest in learning.
Larry Lorang
Larry grew up on his family’s farm in Great Falls, Montana, which he and his wife still own. He started building bits and spurs for himself and friends to use around the ranch. He then became a full time bit builder in 2020 when they decided to sell their cows. He was awarded a Traditional Cowboy Arts Association fellowship in 2023. As a maker of bridle bits and cool cowboy gear, building bits and spurs is his passion, and every day is something new and exciting.
Carol Gessell
Having always loved horses and beautiful handmade Western gear, Carol Gessell was given a little Tandy leather kit as a child, which she used to make tack for her model horses. Though she put the kit away when she got older, she pulled it out again years later to make tack for real horses. Gessell started her own custom leather business around 1998, and by 1999 she was able to focus on working leather full-time. Shortly after, she began to build saddles. In 2017, Gessell was the recipient of a TCAA Fellowship. Encouraged by the mentors she met through the fellowship program, she began applying for TCAA membership. Gessell is the first woman to be a full TCAA member.
https://tcaa.nationalcowboymuseum.org/artist/carol-gessell/
John Willemsma
Building quality saddles has been John Willemsma’s goal for 46 years. From the tests of the working cowboy to the eye of the finest collectors, he is driven by excellence. Willemsma has had the great fortune of being able to study under some of today’s greatest craftsmen, such as Don King, Dale Harwood and Chuck Stormes.
Combining the knowledge he gained from them, and his study of early saddleries particularly Visalia, Hamley and Ray Holes, Willemsma brings a strong desire for high standards to each and every saddle that he builds. In 1986, Willemsma opened LJ’s Saddlery with a desire to build and design saddles that he felt met the needs of both working cowboy’s, horsemen and women alike.
Since becoming a TCAA member, it has been gratifying for him to place his feet in both the worlds of working gear and functional art. Willemsma and his wife, Debbie, live in Westcliffe, Colorado, in the Rocky Mountains. He is now passing his knowledge of saddlemaking to his son, Logan, and strives to honor all those who have guided him and shared their knowledge of the craft he holds dear.
https://ljsaddlery.com/latest.html
Leland Hensley
A native Texan, Leland Hensley developed a passion for the art of rawhide braiding while attending Sul Ross State University in Alpine. After graduation in 1985, he took a job as a ranch manager but continued to polish his braiding skills. To this day Hensley sees his braiding, not as a job that needs to be done, but an enjoyable activity that he looks forward to at the end of each day.
Hensley’s work has developed a high reputation amongst collectors and working cowboys alike for unique design, beauty, and rugged functionality. Drawing on international influences is one of the characteristics of Hensley’s style that sets his work apart. In addition to South America, Hensley draws from the traditional styles of Spain, old Mexico and the unique motifs that have arisen from the blending of styles along the Texas/Mexico border.
A set of split reins for instance, common in Texas, but braided in rawhide and mounted with silver are transformed into a treasured museum quality piece of Vaquero gear. A member of the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association, Hensley’s work has also been exhibited in “The Trappings of Texas”, a show hosted by the Museum of the Big Bend, where Hensley has been the guest curator of gear since 2002.
https://lelandhensley.com/about.php
Beau Compton
Beau Compton was born and raised in a rodeo and ranching family. Though he was initially interested in bit and spur making, he started silverwork in 1997 after his father-in-law introduced him to Vic Vasquez, a saddlemaker, silversmith, and bit and spur maker.
In 2006 Compton started to pursue silverwork as a full-time business, and in 2015 he was awarded the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association (TCAA) Fellowship, which — along with the TCAA Emerging Artists Competition — he credits for propelling his work to the level of TCAA membership.
Beau currently resides with his wife and two children on his family-owned cow/calf operation.
https://www.beaucompton.com/about-beau
Ernie Marsh
Ernie Marsh has been a bit & spur maker and Western silversmith since 1990. Marsh has been mentored and influenced by master makers of the last generation and has worked towards promoting and carrying on the tradition and skills that were passed on to him.
His designs are based first and foremost on function, which he combines with his own artwork, creating a unique style that has influenced a younger generation of craftsmen and gained the respect of horsemen and collectors.
As a founding member of the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association, he has exhibited work annually at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City since 1999 as well as at other venues across the country.
Recognitions have included the Academy of Western Artists Spurmaker of the Year 2000, United States Artists Association Katie Seitz Fellowship in Traditional Arts 2016, National Endowment for The Arts National Fellow in Traditional Arts 2025 and the Wyoming Governor Arts Award 2025. With his wife Teresa he continues to operate a full time shop at their home near Lovell, WY.
https://www.arts.gov/honors/heritage/ernie-marsh
Scott Hardy
Scott Hardy is a fifth-generation stockman who became a full time Western silversmith in 1981 and seventeen years later became a Traditional Cowboy Arts Association (TCAA) founding member.
Hardy is fueled by the belief that “embellishing horse and rider with precious metal is a tradition as old as man on horseback and deserves the respect of being done one piece at a time by hand.” He takes inspiration from the natural world, fine craftsmanship, and the West itself.
Hardy celebrates the West through his pieces, hoping to inspire craftspeople, artists and collectors alike to see the importance and relevance of North American cowboy culture.
Wilson Capron
Wilson Capron grew up on ranches in West Texas and has studied horsemanship and roping since his youth. In 1996, Wilson began apprenticing for legendary bit and spur maker Greg Darnall. Wilson lived with the Darnall family while attending Texas A&M University-Commerce, where he earned an Ag-Business degree.
As Wilson developed his engraving talent, he found guidance in artistic principles from his father, cowboy painter Mike Capron. In 1999, Wilson launched his own business.
His designs are a contemporary interpretation of Texas- and California-style bits and spurs. Wilson has been a member of the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association since 2004.
Wilson lives in Christoval, Texas.
