Pigeon Toe Ceramics Are No Dirty Birds

By Marni Elyse Katz
January 19, 2012

Pigeon Toe Ceramics

Lisa Jones, Pigeon Toe Ceramics owner and creative director (photo by Alicia Carrier)

Although she threw her first pot in fourth grade, Pigeon Toe Ceramics owner and creative director Lisa Jones dabbled in other creative fields before finding her niche in ceramics. Based in the southeast industrial neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, her studio turns out beautiful, handmade designs that are at once modern and crafty; the shapes are of the moment, but the artist’s hand is wholly felt. For her retail storefront, located adjacent to her studio, Jones also curates products that complement the company’s vision for ethically made, well-designed goods.

The Inside Source: What is your artistic background? Did you ever work in a more typical nine-to-five type of job?

Lisa Jones: I have a B.F.A. in Intermedia. In college I worked for a clothing designer and after graduating, I took a job in graphic design at a local business. Aside for a brief stint at Starbucks when I was 20, I’ve never worked in any kind of corporate setting.

The Inside Source: What was the first piece of pottery you ever made? Do you still have it?

Lisa Jones: When I was about eight, I took a ceramics hand-building class and made a lidded jar in the shape of a person. Waist-up is the lid. It has crazy hair made from using a garlic press, and gigantic feet. My mother still has it. It’s completely hideous, but she still uses it alongside my current work, which has a bit more polish.

Pigeon Toe Ceramics

The Inside Source: Did you grow up in a crafty household?

Lisa Jones: My grandmother was a very talented artist, although she never really pursued it. My parents are not particularly ‘crafty’ in the visual art sense but they are creative in their own amazing ways, and as teachers, always encouraged me to pursue what I loved. They furnished me with pretty much every art supply and class you could ask for over the course of my childhood.

The Inside Source: Are there designers/ceramicists/artisans whose work you admire or that inspire you or have influenced your work?

Lisa Jones: There are several industrial designers whose work I love, like Hans Wegner and Eva Zeisel, but I also take much inspiration from creative individuals outside my field: Chie Mihara, who has a great process video on You Tube that I highly recommend, Raquel Allegra, Richard Serra, Mark Rothko, Lee Ufan, Calvin Klein...

Pigeon Toe Ceramics

The Inside Source: What aspects of art and/or culture do you draw on? Trends or styles? Eras?

Lisa Jones: I have the greatest affinity for Asian minimalism, mid century modern design, and Native American patterns. I try to shy away from specific trends and focus on culling my influences for more timeless or era-spanning work. Sometimes this means I end up ‘on trend,’ but mostly I hope that my work is good at any time and for many different people.

The Inside Source: Current inspirations?

Lisa Jones: I’m currently a bit obsessed with metallics, weaving, and the contrast of hard and soft shapes.

The Inside Source: Any new projects on the horizon?

Lisa Jones: The spring line comes out in March, and I’m hoping we work out the kinks soon enough to launch my first hardwired lighting pieces. I’m working on some wall mount fixtures made of steel and porcelain with bright exposed cords. Down the line I’d really like to design flatware, and hardware, and perhaps furniture as well. Ceramics will always be our core, but my design interest extends beyond it.

Pigeon Toe Ceramics

In addition to ceramics pieces, Pigeon Toe has put out other products, like the pixel chevron and ink blot textiles pictured here.

The Inside Source: Where would you most like to see one of your creations displayed or used?

Lisa Jones: My intention has always been everyday use. I love knowing that my work is integral to the day-to-day lives of my customers. I secretly hope that future generations fight over who gets to inherit my designs. Of course, being part of some permanent collection for modern design in a museum would be amazing, but on the other hand, I’d feel sort of sad that all the pot would get to do is sit on a shelf, unused. I suppose my aspirations are a bit more utilitarian. Constant use is more indicative of love to me than putting something on a pedestal.

The Inside Source: What is one item in your own home that you can't live without?

Lisa Jones: Either my sketchbook or my MacBook Air. Both are integral to my life in different ways.

The Inside Source: Fill in the blank: I have too many ________.

Lisa Jones: Shoes, if that’s even possible. It’s open to debate.

The Inside Source: Do you enjoy curating items for your shop? How do you choose?

Lisa Jones: I love it. Generally, I buy things I love and would want to own personally and/or that enhance my own work. It can be hard to define a store as unique, so I focus on the one thing no one else has, which is my point of view and taste.

Pigeon Toe Ceramics

The Inside Source: How would you describe your personal aesthetic?

Lisa Jones: One part modern minimalism plus one part warm, organic playfulness.

The Inside Source: Do you ever hunt for things on eBay? Have you purchased anything?

Lisa Jones: I do! Mostly I troll for past season collections from my favorite designers, or vintage furniture. I don’t have very good bidding habits, so I usually lose. I prefer the ‘buy it now’ option. No stress or disappointment!

The Inside Source: What is on your wish list this season?

Lisa Jones: I’m expecting my first child, so most things these days are focusing on preparing for that mammoth change in our life. Babies need a lot of stuff! Aside from that, I have some much-coveted books on my list like the catalog from the Alexander McQueen exhibit at the Met, and the new Miranda July book. I wouldn’t be upset if anyone bought me any of my eBay picks below, either.

(product shots by Liam Gilles and Lisa Warninger)