Hansheng Lee

         Art                 Food                 Garden               ACI

Meandering  Garden

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I have no intention of glamorizing gardening—or anything else I ever talk about. Gardening is hard work. It’s a constant dance between effort and adaptation, and I use what I have, what I can get my hands on, and what I can afford. Some parts of my garden are still in progress, wild and unpolished, while other areas have found their rhythm and calm. You’ll see black tubs with holes cut out, soy sauce buckets reused for fermenting fertilizer, and makeshift setups that lean more practical than pretty—but they get the job done. For me, it’s also about recycling, reusing, and respecting what already exists. This space isn’t curated for perfection—it’s lived in, worked in, and deeply loved.

 

This garden grew out of memories: growing vegetables with my grandmother, learning flowers from my mother, and finding peace in soil when the world feels too loud. It’s a place where I nurture life, beauty, and food with my own two hands. You’ll find native plants mingling with heirloom vegetables, roses blooming beside medicinal herbs, and an ever-evolving balance of permaculture and personal experimentation. I also want to give credit to my husband, Chris, who shares in the care and design—especially the ever-growing rose collection that we’ve built together with love and patience.

 

There’s always something changing, something blooming, and something learning to grow again—just like me.

The garden is one of my oldest and truest places of connection—a space where memory, nature, and nourishment come together in bloom and root. It’s never perfect, and that’s exactly the point. Here you’ll find seasonal updates, snapshots of what’s growing, what’s fading, and what’s feeding us—visually and literally. From heirloom vegetables to pollinator havens, roses to reused soy sauce buckets, this space reflects my belief that beauty and function can (and should) coexist. Gardening, for me, is about reclaiming time, healing through rhythm, and working with what’s available. It’s slow art, in soil.

It’s been a full, busy, and surprisingly rewarding stretch lately — a mix of recipes, teaching, commissions, and time in the garden. I thought I’d share a little of what’s been happening both in the studio and outside of it.
 

🍤 Recipes with American Olive Farmer

Over on American Olive Farmer, I’ve been sharing some new shrimp recipes that I’m really excited about. They’ve been a fun way to highlight fresh flavors while playing with different textures and techniques. If you haven’t yet, definitely check out their olive oils and balsamic vinegars — they’re beautifully balanced and have been perfect for lifting these recipes to the next level.
 

📚 ACI Course Writing

I’ve also been spending a lot of time writing courses for Art Collective International’s Skool platform. Honestly, it’s been such a joy. In a way, I never stopped being an educator — whether through food, art, or sharing techniques — but this has been a refreshing way to reconnect with that side of myself. Guiding others through the creative process feels like giving back to the community that has always inspired me.
 

🎨 Commission Work

In between teaching and recipes, I’ve been catching up on commissions. These have ranged from bookmarks to small watercolor works, and yes, even a few NSFW pieces. It’s been a nice balance of playful and challenging projects, and I love seeing how these little pieces end up in people’s lives. Each commission feels like a personal collaboration, and I’m grateful for the trust people put into me.
 

🌱 Fall & Winter Gardening

Out in the garden, the seasons are shifting. I’ve planted bok choy, mustard greens, carrots, and a handful of other cool and cold-weather crops. This year has been a bit unusual weather-wise, so it’s been interesting to see how things adapt. Some tomatoes did beautifully — especially the Sun Gold pear cherry tomatoes, which thrived — while others didn’t do as well. That’s gardening for you: lessons, surprises, and small victories.
 

✨ Closing

All in all, it’s been a season of growth — in the kitchen, in the studio, in the classroom, and in the garden. It’s a reminder that creativity doesn’t stay in one lane; it flows through everything we do.

Thanks for following along with my journey — I can’t wait to share what’s next.