2026 Charlotte Creativity Log

By Alexandra Smith

I have always assigned myself to the "not an artist" category. But then I started asking myself dangerous questions like, "What would happen if I put my own creativity at the top of the priority list?"

This serves as a diary of whimsy: what I've tried in 2026 to keep my year interesting. I think it also provides clear proof of just how much there is to do on the art side of Charlotte. Keep checking back as I update it through the year.

JANUARY

I spent a solid 3.5 hours stickering at a Self-Care Mini Fest at Blume Studios. I decorated a journal that has now become my physical Creativity Log. I'm hoping to fill each page with a creative activity before the end of the year. Adult-Only Sticker Club gathers at least monthly and you should give it a try.

I met up with Dionna Bright at Enderly Park to offer company while she shot some self-portraits. I brought watercolors because I thought it would be cool to try shadow painting, but the wind absolutely did not cooperate. So I decided to wait for another warm, windless, sunny day to give this another go.

I visited artist Trish Boyles in her studio for a Mixed Media Collage Playshop and had the BEST time. Her collection of papers and paints is glorious. Her guidance was helpful and tremendously encouraging. I proudly left with 2 pieces that I made and adore.

I also tried out a Wheel Throwing Class at the brand new Livermush Studios in NoDa. I get now how throwing can put you in that almost meditative flow state, and why people get hooked on chasing it. I was in state of panic and overthinking for 85% of the class, but that flow state high feels like winning a jackpot at the casino. It was fun, humbling, and made me want to try again. Livermush offers 1.5 hour beginner Throwdown classes every Saturday.

I had the privilege of spending 30 days overseas in Asia this past fall. I then spent the winter teaching myself Davinci Resolve so I could put my experience online in a YouTube format. We completed and dropped the first video, which covers Day 1 in Bangkok and I'm really proud of the final cut.

I spent a snow day playing with The Met and Smithsonian public domain image collections. I started with the word “window,” gave myself a 50-frame limit, and made a digital collage stop motion video using bits and pieces of whatever I could discover.

FEBRUARY 

I played Art Detective with Carl Ernst von Stetten’s 1884 painting “Cleobis and Biton,” which illustrates an Ancient Greek story about devotion, sacrifice, and death. When I saw the painting in person, I immediately assumed a different narrative. I was pulled, seemingly via black hole, into a magical art history journey and I wrote an article all about it!

I took a free Urban Sketching class through ASC Culture Blocks. My teacher Eliza provided both the instruction and reassurance that I needed as a first-timer. I have fallen in love with "deeply looking" and now have a budding sketchbook practice because of this class!

I went to my first Gelli Printmaking class thanks to my friends at Arts+. We were given the freedom to try whatever came to mind. One of my favorite prints came from using plant tie tape that a fellow student brought for experimenting. After 3 hours, I went home with a whopping 16 prints! This was delightful and colorful and now I might have to buy my own Gelli plate.

I stepped out into the rain with my watercolors to try a little collaboration. Unfortunately, it ended up raining too hard for any paint to really make a mark. But, I am glad that I seized the moment and I have ideas for further experimentation. Just waiting on the right rainstorm.

I brought my sketchbook out to the park and did my first colored pencil drawings. Up until this point all the sketches in my new sketchbook had been in pen. I prefer the color!

MARCH

I visited artist Pam Imhof in her studio at VAPA to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of her Charlotte Shout public fiber art installation. She created three life-sized creatures covered in crochet and knitted elements. When you hugged the Shout circle, they made magical sounds!!

I attended a USK Charlotte Meetup at Charlotte Regional Farmer's Market on a super busy Saturday. It was intimidating to sketch around so many people, but the group made me feel super welcome. They usually meet monthly - keep up through their Instagram.

APRIL

I already knew I liked abstract painting, so when I saw LaDara Fine Art offering a free class through ASC Culture Blocks, I jumped at the chance to attend. There's never been any technique behind my abstract work, but I was able to learn more about tetradic color schemes, tints, shades, and composition.

I went to one of Daniel Stowe Conservancy's free admission Community Nights with my art friend Eliza (yes, Urban Sketching Eliza!). We made our way to the orchid conservatory and settled in to capture the reflecting pool and the thorny ceiba tree in watercolor and colored pencils.

I hosted a super casual Fresh Air Art Meetup at Camp Greene Park in partnership with nonprofit QC Family Tree. It was low-key and I got to meet some new creative friends!

MAY

I attempted to illustrate a recent migraine aura in watercolor. Migraine auras are like visual warning signs to the brain that a migraine is on the way. Mine are kaleidoscopic with bright white holes and distortions to whatever is in my field of vision. Trying to paint it felt like trying to remember a dream. I'd like to try again sometime.

I've been seeing these watercolor blob exercises all over Instagram and I wanted to give it a try. I picked random colors and made random shapes all over the page. And then I went back through with a pen and turned them into objects like popsicles, frogs, and butterflies.

More to come...