Olivas, Martin

Based in the village of Mata Ortiz in northern Mexico, Martin Olivas Quintana learned the basics of pottery making from his older brother Jesus. Jesus had learned from their uncle Eduardo.

Martin likes to work on white-body pots, adding slips in multiple colors while carving and etching his designs. His creations are often quite complex, and he’s become a master at using characteristics of the colored slips and the base clay body as elements in his designs. He seems to favor bold colors that lend an attractive texture to his work.

Sometimes Martin carves the designs he wants, then fires the piece to be all black.

Martin also seems to favor vases with egg shapes and open mouths. He likes to carve them with birds, reptiles and insects. He tends to carve deeper than either of his brothers.

In 2019 Martin earned a Second Place award in the Sgraffito division at the annual Concurso Ceramica de Mata Ortiz. In 2018 he’d earned a Third Place award in the same Sgraffito division.