Marcus Amerman was born in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1959 but grew up in the Pacific Northwest.

He also studied at the Institute of American Indian Arts and the Anthropology Film Center.

He has portrayed many historical heroes in his beadwork, such as Lloyd Kiva New; as well a pop icons, such as Janet Jackson, and imagery inspired by comic superheroes is a current running throughout his work.

[7] He and Tlingit artist Preston Singletary both taught at the school in 2006 as part of Iconoglass.

Amerman lives on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation in Kooshia, Idaho, with his elderly parents.