Martin Olivas learned the basics of pottery making from his older brother Jesus, who'd 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.

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