Dear February

Well hello February, you seem to have snuck up on us now, haven't you? Bringing with you a slight chill to the breeze in the Texas air.  You're more than welcome to stay, but I'm going to need some new hats if the visit is long.

Remember those socks, the totally awesome, perfect fitting, amazingly striped ones? Well if you thought you had my head because my feet were covered, you are wrong February, for I have found a way to keep you guessing. 

Now while this Sockhead hat isn't knit exactly as the pattern says, it still fits perfectly.  No slouch, just all beanie, but surprisingly stretchy and a perfect fit. Just what I needed to keep my ears away from your chilly mid-day air. 

What's that? You think that hat is too thin for those cold nights of poetry? Well you are right! But I bet you didn't see this coming!

I did some stash diving on my day off today and found some super bulky handspun just dying to cover those ears.  A few hours later and this baby is ready to keep me nice and warm on those cold Sunday Nights. 

The pattern you say? It's improvised based off of this one.  And before you ask, in my typical fashion, I ran short on yarn again. Resulting in yet another beanie!

But that's not all February, for you may be laughing now at my foolishness for finishing a project so quickly, but little do you realize my arsenal of yarn ready and waiting? What's next, you ask? Well how about some of these?

From top left clockwise - Pinch Hat, Modern Tartan Slouch, Conversationalist and Fidra

So what do you think of me now February? Nothing to say? Yea I thought so! HA!

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I hope you enjoyed my little bout of humor. Until next time blog friends!

~Lisa

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

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!

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?

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:

Malabrigo Oyster

Project that took the longest to finish:

Lost in Transit Lustra (started in 2010!)

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Favorite project designed by me!

Midnight Surf Socks

PS- Pattern can be purchased here!

Favorite item to actually wear:

Texas Tell It 

Favorite Gift Knit:

I Love my Sister Shawl 

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 

New Year. New Look.

Hello friends. Please do not get confused, I can explain.

After much debate the past few months I have decided to re-vamp my blog.  Wicked Artsy was something I came up with my Freshman year of college when I was greatly obsessed with the musical Wicked.  While it has gone through revamps to better fit my needs over the years, I have decided that it is no longer relevant to the message I am trying to convey in a blog.

Thus, "The Knitting Artist" is born.  Based off the title and imagery of my Etsy Page, "The Knitting Artist" truly encompasses all that is special about me.  Knitting. Art. Inspiration. I hope you will all agree and continue to follow me during this new change and new year!

I wanted to just do a quickie update before the new year.  I haven't taken many photos since returning home for Christmas, but I have been very busy!

I've been working on a double knit project with the rest of my yarn from last year's sweater.  It's much farther now that the holidays are over, but I'm about to run out of the dark brown.  I have a bit more, but it's in TX. So I guess this will be the first FO of the new year instead of the last of 2015.

I published a dishcloth pattern last week. Super simple yet super fun. I am hoping to publish a lot more this coming year, it really is a happy feeling knowing that other people can make my designs. 

While it is raining in TX, it is snowing her in KS. I am one happy girl, as I wasn't sure if I would get to see snow while I was home.  However, most of my warm clothes (knitted stuff included) I left in TX before I left. Why, who knows. 

Visiting home makes me miss my kitties. Sasha especially! She is one crazy girl.

I promise that I will be updating this blog more in 2016. And also get back to doing weekly inspirations.  But for now I am calling it a day and wishing you all safe travels and a happy new year!

~Lisa

Thankful in December

I actually meant to post a "Thankful for..." post way back in November after Thanksgiving, but things started happening and piling up and well, yea. But I have a lot to be thankful for this time of the year, more than I even expected and so I finally decided to share with you all.

The first thing I am thankful for is family.  I recently sold a painting to one of my fantastic aunts. It is now in her office in Virginia and I am so happy to know that she is enjoying it every day!

I am also thankful for selling said painting, as it allowed me to take a knitting class with Michelle Hunter of Knit Purl Hunter fame. She visited my LYS last weekend and taught four classes. I took one - double knitting. And I am now in love. Expect lots of double knitting this year!

I am thankful for my art, which I have worked tirelessly over the past few years to build into something I can be proud of and successful at. I finally got some good recognition this past week in the form of Fifth Place (out of 26) in a juried show at JoMar Visions in Houston. Imagine my surprise when that happened!

I am thankful for my mom, which seems weird paired with this photo, but she asked me to paint an image for their holiday card this year. It inspired me to make the painting on the right, which then inspired me to do a second. Both were fun and a good way to get back into the grove of painting with less stress. 

I am thankful that I have been knitting for over 7 years now. Here's a bit of proof. This scarf has been on the needles since the January after I started knitting. It has been in and out of hibernation ever since, until I finally decided to just finish it this past month. A bit of blocking and it was FINALLY ready to wear. The first few inches show some pretty hefty mistakes, but then again that was over five years ago! I have gotten much better since then!

Weekly (or monthly) Inspirations:

Knitting: While Michelle Hunter was here, she also taught a class on making this crazy spotted shawl. Turns out it's all about how many strands you hold at once. Crazy right? (sorry, I can't find the pattern anywhere right now!)

Art:  In it's own artsy way, here is a commercial for the Cafe I work at! It was created by a local videographer who is a good friend of mine.
Cooking: I made homemade Cheeze-its for my Guild Secret Santa last week and after I figured out how to keep them from getting soggy, they tasted exactly like the kind in the box!
Life: Christmas is right around the corner. In 11 days I will be headed home to Kansas. Where will you be?

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and (if I don't post again before then) a happy new year!

~Lisa