Born to parents Barbara and Manuel Martinez in October 1968 at Santa Clara Pueblo, Chris Martinez began learning how to make pottery from his grandmother, Flora Naranjo, when he was fourteen years old. His brother and sister, Sammy Naranjo and Vickie Martinez, also learned the traditional way of making pottery from their grandmother. By the time he was ten, Chris was already making spending money by preparing clay for Margaret Tafoya and Teresita Naranjo.

Chris works in both black and red pottery styles, specializing in large jars and low shouldered bowls. His pots are characterized by bold carving and fine stone polishing. Over the years Chris has developed his own unique style of carving the avanyu (the water serpent of the Santa Clara Tewa people). He has also elaborated on the forms he learned from his grandmother, creating his own designs that also incorporate eagle feathers and other symbols of his culture.

Chris tells us his favorite shapes to work with are low-shouldered water jars and his favorite design is the avanyu. He also says his inspiration comes from within.

While Chris makes pottery when he's home, he also worked for the US Forest Service for more than twenty years, battling wildfires all across the West. He says he has a very special relationship with the element of fire, carefully tending his own fires to make his pottery and then working to help put out great forest fires. That strength of purpose is evident in his work.