Tribe: Navajo

     Bryant Martinez was born in To’hajiilee, NM in 1983. He is from the Water Edge (Mom) and Sage Brush (Dad) Clans. Bryant is a self taught silversmith. He trained himself for about 10 years. His mother, Irene, was a smith, but she quit when he was born. He never got to watch or learn from her. However, he did inherit her tools. He wants to learn more about his traditions and pass on his talent to the next generation. Bryant now lives in Albuquerque with his seven year old son, Elliot.

     Bryant describes his work as sawcut. “Imagination is the start of art,” Bryant says. When people respond positively to his art, “it makes me feel good inside.” He is very intense and fully absorbed when he is creating his art. “I love what I do; it feels more like a hobby than work. I am very lucky to be part of the Silver Sun family and honored to be working alongside Etta Endito who has taught me a lot about the art of silversmithing. I have learned to express myself through my work; I’m always looking for a challenge, anything is possible and there are no bad ideas… I have done a few shows with Silver Sun, IACA Fall/Spring markets, Indian Market openings at the Silver Sun Gallery and one year I was honored to participate in the celebration of The Indian Craft Shop’s 75th year in Washington D.C. I got a lot of good feedback from customers and other artists.” Silver Sun is very pleased to work with this young artist who takes pride & satisfaction in his work.