Octavio Tavo Silveira is a second-generation potter from the El Porvenir neighborhood in Mata Ortiz. Early in his pottery career he began to make a name for himself by making large pieces of exceptional quality. He seems to have liked making large pots with lids, small handles and lightly carved, boldly painted designs. His principal color mix was rose-pink, coral and flat black on a white-body vessel. His designs were very energetic and exuded motion. Then his work evolved into smaller, but no less elegant, vases and jars, still lightly carved, still brilliantly painted, still exquisitely shaped.

Tavo learned the pottery-making basics from his father, Nicolas Silveira Ortiz. While his father had always worked in the El Porvenir style begun in the mid-1970s by Felix Ortiz, Tavo designs using elements of both the El Porvenir and Quezada styles.

Tavo has won the Best in Show ribbon several times at the annual Concourso de Mata Ortiz competition. His wife, Mirna Hernandez, is also an accomplished potter. Tavo now often collaborates with his oldest son, Jesus Octavio Silveira. His next younger son, Octavio Silveira, is also making his living as a potter.