Meet Ceramics Monthly Emerging Artist Fernando Martinez

Congratulations to Fernando Martinez whose work was selected as one of 20 finalists in the 2025 Ceramics Monthly “Emerging Artists” edition. Fernando is a Port Chester resident who is both an artist and local business owner, making his work in his home studio, and firing at Clay Art Center.

Originally from Argentina, Fernando is a graduate from SUNY Purchase, who specializes in furniture design and making. Of his ceramics journey, Fernando says that he was making wooden pieces that were beginning to look like the ceramics that inspired him, so he decided to learn to work with clay. Initially, he was inspired by traditional Japanese woodfired ceramics. Being used to having more control over the resulting surfaces his work in through wood and paint, he began to love the surfaces he could achieve on his ceramics through gas firing, especially how gas firing blunted the colors more than electric firing. Fernando continues to explore gas firing his handbuilt collage-inspired ceramics.

Of his relationship with Clay Art Center, Fernando says, “It’s very rare that you find a place with people that are so kind, and are dedicated to the work of other artists. The quality of the staff is unsurpassed; they are professional, helpful, and kind. I adore Clay Art Center.”

Learn more about Fernando in Ceramics Monthly, and make sure to give him a follow in Insgtagram at @fernandoartwork

Images:
Fernando Martinez | Us Now and Then, 13 in. (33 cm) in height, gas-fired cone-10 clay, 2024.
Fernando Martinez | We Were Two, 22 in. (55.9 cm) in height, gas-fired cone-10 clay, 2024.