Born into San Ildefonso Pueblo in January 1960, Elvis Torres is the son of Philopeta Martinez and Patrick Torres (of Ohkay Owingeh). Elvis creates clay-wash paintings and makes polychrome redware, red-on-red, buff-on-red and black-on-black jars, bowls and plates.

Elvis' pottery tradition can be traced back to the 1800s when his great-great-grandmother, Tonita Pena, was famous for her polychrome pots. His great-grandmother, Isabel Pena Martinez, mainly created black-on-black and carved pottery. Elvis' mother, "Lupita" Martinez, sometimes painted pots for both Isabel and Tonita. Early in his career, Elvis painted pots for his mother. Over time, Elvis learned the entire process from his mother, then he took it further.

Elvis was a participant in the Santa Fe Indian Market, the Eight Northern Pueblos Arts & Crafts Show and the New Mexico State Fair for years, earning many First, Second, Third and Honorable Mention ribbons at those.

Some of the Awards Won by Elvis

• 1997 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division D - Traditional pottery, painted designs on burnished black or red surface, Category 1107 - Miscellaneous: Third Place
• 1995 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division E - Traditional pottery, painted designs on burnished black or red surface in the style of Santa Clara, San Ildefonso, Category 1203 - Bowls (over 6 inches in diameter): Second Place
• 1995 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division E - Traditional pottery, painted designs on burnished black or red surface in the style of Santa Clara, San Ildefonso, Category 1202 - Bowls (up to 6 inches in diameter): Second Place shared with Margaret Lou Gutierrez
• 1994 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification III - Paintings, Drawings and Graphics, Division C - Paintings, New Directions, Category 2009 - Miniatures: Second Place
• 1990 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification III - Paintings, Drawings and Graphics, Division B - Painting, Two-dimensional, non-southwest style, Category 1708 - Miniatures: Third Place
• 1988 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification III - Paintings, drawings and prints (hand pulled), Division B - Painting, Non-traditional, Category 1602 - Miniatures: Second Place
• 1988 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification III - Paintings, drawings and prints (hand pulled), Division C - Painting, Any style, Category 1707 - Miniatures: Second Place
• 1985 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification III - Paintings, drawings and prints (hand pulled), Division C - Painting, Any style, Category 1707 - Miniatures: Second Place