Wednesday, January 27, 2016

One Month Down...

Eleven to go...


Can you believe that it is already almost February? Where did this month go? How are you doing on your "resolutions?"



One of mine was to knit more socks this year.  And one pair is already off my needles.  These have been so much fun to knit I almost want to knit a third just for giggles. 

I finished my first painting of 2016 as well today.  The lighting in the photo above is horrible, but I couldn't wait to share it! There's a lot more pink in real life. 

I was really bored last week and decided to give my wheel a whirl.  This is some solid brown BFL that I am spinning to pair with my skein from the last post.  I haven't touched it since that night though, so it's slow going.

Finally, I want to do a quick plug.  I'm having a studio sale! A bunch of my art is under $200 for awhile. I need to clear out some inventory and make some extra money.  I'd love it if you took a peek.  And if you can't spend that kind of money right now (which is fine, I get it) maybe at least "Like" my Facebook page - Art by Lisa Urban.


Weekly Inspirations:
Knitting:  Anybody see this hat on Ravelry today? I am IN LOVE. And it appears that many others are too...it's at the top trending.
Art: I'm working on a local art blog for my manager.  Here is my first "Feature Artist" post about a local musician.  Take a peek ;)
Food:  Wishing this tea shop wasn't on the other side of town (aka about 10miles) because I would be in there all the time.  So many flavors and they'll brew any of them for you to drink!
Life:  I have hit the gym 7 out of the past 10 days out of desire to get back into shape (working in a kitchen can really do a number). It helps that Planet Fitness is so cheap!

If I don't post before February, I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their January.  Stay safe and warm guys!

~Lisa



Monday, January 18, 2016

Changes....

"Ch,ch,ch,ch...changes"

Quoting David Bowie today (may he rest in peace) as I have finally decided to change URLs to reflect the rest of this blog.  I hope you were able to find me OK! 

First on my list for this week is this handspun.  It's not perfect by any means - I literally had to fix every part of my wheel at some point during the creation of this yarn! It's 300 yards of dyed BFL, much bluer than in this photo. 

In the category of finished objects is my double knit cowl.  I finally got around to photograph it being worn, and I love the way it fits nice and sung. Perfect for cold  nights!

I also am working on some socks, because that sweater is just not calling my name right now.  These are with a ball of Crazy Zauberball that I divided up to make stripes. I am already at the heel and loving the way they are turning out :) 

Out in art world is my most recent painting.  I finally got my studio set up and am working on this guy currently.  Not as much as I should be, but enough.  I should have it done by this weekend.

Weekly Inspirations:
Art:  Currently I am using The Lion King as my inspiration painting.  The one above came from a scene, and there are few more stills that have my eye.  Do you have a favorite inspiring movie?
Knitting: I'm working a fish lips kiss heel for my socks.  Ever heard of it? I'm really liking it!
Food: I made a Thai kit for dinner last week.  Want a brief lowdown? It's here! (Hint - it was tasty!)
Life: My parents drove down from Kansas this past weekend to bring a few unpackable gifts and my art from my show last summer.  It was nice having them here to share my TX experiences with, as well as a chance for me to clean my apartment! haha. 

Hope you all have a creative week!

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Hello 2016!

Hello 2016, you sure showed up fast.  Just when I was getting used to 2015, you had to go and come along!  But I guess I'm not really complaining, for you have already brought me great bliss, and we're only 10 days in!

2016 is going to be the year of designing. I have already completed three hat swatches for submissions. And if they don't get into the magazine I sent them to, well then, they will be self published. 

2016 will also be another great year for art, I finally got a home studio set up the way I want it and I have a solo show confirmed for September. 

Something is already off the needles for 2016.  Started in December, my reversible double knit cowl is officially done, and just in time for the cold spot we have been having here in Texas. 

Off with one, on with another.  I decided to cast on some socks last week, using Crazy Zauberball (in the second color on their photos) I am going to stripe this pair even more by switching between skeins every five rows. 

It's a good year for inspiration also! I went down to Houston on Friday and found some galleries with art that truly inspires me, including this huge wall drawing by Andrea Bianconi (hard to tell but it's all arrows!)

Weekly Inspirations:
Art: Besides the arrow drawings, I was able to see some very cool paintings by Garland Fielder at Anya Tish Gallery.  I was talking to him and it turns out he works from white models like me!

Knitting: Last week I picked up KnitScene Winter 2015 and Spring 2016.  Both are loaded with patterns I want to make, but the first will probably be the Trapunto Vest

Food: 2016 is also going to be a year of food! I am trying to get back into whole food eating as well as blogging about recipes.  Why not check out my other blog and try my mini pie bites

Life:  Life is getting crazy here. I am now the merchandise officer for Mic Check Poetry as well as the admin partner/blogger for Art979.com.  I am really excited about both, especially Art979, because I think it will be a good stepping stone for my career goals.

How is 2016 treating you so far? Any goals? Any thing amazing happen yet?  Feel free to share.

~Lisa

PS - before I go, do you all think I need to change my URL from Wickedlyartsy.blogspot to Knittingartist.blogspot? I know I SHOULD but I don't want people to get lost if they type in the old one and it's not there anymore.  Thoughts?



Friday, January 1, 2016

2015 in Review and a Special Etsy Sale!

Well, here it is, the inevitable new year. Some look forward to it while others dread it. Some make resolutions, so prefer to not. As for me, resolutions seem a bit pointless. I do however make GOALS, which is more about working towards something. 

If I set goals last year, I don't think I really met many of them, or at least not in the ways I had hoped. I don't even know if I remember them all to be honest.  But I wanted to take a moment to reflect on this past year and all the amazing things I was able to do, goal or not. 


First, by the numbers:
23 Knitting Projects logged onto Ravelry. 

22 oil paintings and 4 (larger than I used to do) gouache paintings.
Too many to count knitted white balls for my tree installations. 
19 blog posts (not enough!)
10 pairs of shoes sold on Etsy and 20 orders on Etsy total.

And now onto the photos :)

Project I'm most proud of:


Project that took the longest to finish:
\



Favorite project designed by me!

PS- Pattern can be purchased here!


Favorite item to actually wear:

Favorite Gift Knit:

Skills I learned this year:
Double Knitting
Spinning on a wheel!
Steeking
Knitting in movie theaters/not having to look down
Mastered short rows (via all those darn balls)


Now onto the second part of this post.  

I wanted to do a huge shout out thank you to everyone who has been supporting me, either by buying items from my shop, posting on my blog or just being awesome. And SOOO...

All shoe orders are $5 off between now and Jan 31st, just use the code "HI2016". That's a CUSTOM ordered pair of knitted shoes, for just $25 + shipping.  Trust me, I don't do this often. Take advantage while you can! And I added a few new colors to the list as well, so go take a lookie :) 


I hope that everyone has had a great 2015 and that 2016 treats you well also. What are your "resolutions". Any knitting things on that list? 

~Lisa