Sometimes, life moves in sprints~ and sometimes, it moves in layered waves that crest and dip, all at once. Right now, I feel like I’m somewhere in the middle: not standing still, but not quite sprinting either. There’s a lot going on beneath the surface, and I wanted to take a moment to share a bit of what’s happening behind the scenes.
For those who don’t know, I’ve been deep in the process of building up Art Collective International’s online education platform, ACI Skool, while simultaneously updating our main website and vendor tools. I’ve also been working on blog content for ACI’s collective and myself on there, writing course materials, managing backend logistics, and putting plans in motion for future classes and outreach. It’s been a full-time job with overtime, but one I truly believe in.
And while that’s taken a lot of my time and energy lately, I’ve still managed to find some surprising new creative outlets.
One of the most exciting updates? I’m now a guest food blogger for American Olive Farmer~ a role I never really saw coming, but one that feels like such a natural fit. Those who know me well know that food, flavor, and storytelling are deeply woven into my life, and getting the opportunity to write about artisanal olive oils, food pairings, and sustainable farming practices is a dream come true. (And yes, there will be recipes. Of course, there will be recipes.)
This kind of collaboration reminds me why I do what I do: because everything~ art, food, writing, teaching~ is connected. And whether it’s a watercolor class or a blog post about sustainable shrimp, it all comes back to telling stories that connect people to beauty, intention, and care.
Outside of work, I’ve been balancing life with a lot of tea (unsurprisingly), stolen sketchbook moments, and planning for the upcoming garden season. Creativity might not always look like painting in this phase, but it’s alive and well in every decision I make~ from class layouts to community outreach to planting seeds for the next thing to grow.
Thanks for sticking with me through all the phases. I’ll have more to share soon~ including the first of the American Olive Farmer blog and recipe entries and a few sneak peeks at upcoming projects. For now, just know I’m still here, still creating (in a slightly different way), and always grateful for the support.
—Hansheng
