Minh Martin was born in Saigon, Vietnam and spent his early years in the Philippines. Upon returning to the US, he attended Yale University majoring in Geophysics and where, in his final year, he discovered the art department and took sculpture classes. Upon graduation, he moved to Santa Barbara, CA, where he met The Great Bri'oni and was introduced to the art of glass. After two years of apprenticeship, Bri'oni kicked him out and he returned east. He lives in Charlottesville, Virginia with his wife, Anna Shapiro, and their four children.

Romeo was an old tomcat that prowled the Santa Barbara studios.