Lizard-Themed Ceramic Decorative Vase from Nicaragua, "Above the Sand"

Juan Paulino Martinez was born in San Juan de Oriente, Nicaragua. By heritage, he creates ceramic art. "I am in love with what I do; it is a marvelous art that gives me the opportunity to transmit all of my creativity and feelings in this noble material that is clay," he says.

He creates each piece with a lot of passion, a result of his ceramist parents who lovingly taught him. Every day they completed their work in order to put food on the table, which Juan remembers with great pride and nostalgia.

"My parents were the best life coaches that I had. They always taught me to be a hardworking, persevering, and responsible person. Thanks to their patience, I learned all of this. They stayed by my side, and taught me everything that their parents once taught them."

With great enthusiasm, Paulino teaches these values to his children. As he says, it is part of his life and culture, and his designs are made with traditional techniques inherited from the community and from his ancestors.

“I have a marvelous team behind me. My daughters are my motivation. Many times, they help me during the creative process. They love being at my side in my workshop. Together, we have learned a lot more. They help me in drawing new designs, and in this way I have been able to innovate even more in my craft.

"Presenting my ceramics fills me with pride. They are an essential part of my life. I grew with this art, and it taught me to dream and to soar, to realize my potential. But to reach our goals, we have to fight and always give 100 percent. I am very fortunate to have been born in a country so rich in traditions, colors, and people that struggle day by day for a better future. I hope that one day my country will become more free, and that I can be a part of the change that we need, not only as Nicaraguans, but in all the world."