This week’s creative prompt: Crackle. Not just the sound. Not just the fire. But the moment something fractures open. - Is it the first spark before something ignites? - The sharp break of something old giving way? - The textural crackle of dried paint, leaves underfoot, or a fading radio signal? - Maybe it’s something inside you~ finally splitting open to let light in? 🎨 Writers, artists, makers~ what does crackle stir up for you? This prompt can be taken literally, metaphorically, emotionally, or sensorially. However, your creative mind wants to wander, run with it~! You can respond with: - A sketch, WIP, or finished piece - A journal entry or poem - A photo, sound clip, or short video - Even just a note about where your mind went 🔥 Bonus: Try blending crackle with another idea~ like silence, static, rebirth, or memory.

photos by me:

Today marks three years since The Art Collective International~ became an entity~ and what a wild, beautiful, transformative journey it's been. From pop-ups and sticker tables to our own community and launches, and a growing family of creatives, every single step has been powered by heart, vision, and collective energy. We’ve grown from a spark of an idea into a thriving studio ecosystem: 🌱 Lee Hansheng Studios – the roots and story 🌸 Chris Foster Design – the details and texture ⛈️ Storm Garden Studio – the power and the wild 🧵 Dazzle & Daggers Design – the play and the precision 🫖 And all our tea, toffee, zines, tutorials, collabs, and conversations in between. Three years of art, grit, laughter, grief, purpose, rebellion, healing, and joy. And we're just getting started. To everyone who’s been here~ whether since Day 1 or Day 1095~ Thank you. 謝謝你。ありがとう。Grazie. You’ve helped us prove that art does matter. That community does matter. And that building a kinder, creative future is absolutely worth fighting for. 🧡 Drop a memory, photo, or favorite piece we made in the comments. 🧡 Tell us how you found us, or how art has changed your path. 🧡 Or just leave a 🎉 so we know you’re celebrating with us. Here’s to 3 years down~ and decades to go. With love from the studios, ~ Hansheng & the ACI team

What are you working on this week? Whether it’s a sketch, a half-finished sculpture, a color test, or a sticky note full of ideas~ your work-in-progress is worth celebrating. ✨ Share a snapshot of what’s on your desk, your mind, or your screen. 🖌️ Tell us one thing that’s exciting you about it, or one challenge you’re navigating right now. 🌱 We’re not here for perfect~ we’re here for progress. Drop your WIPs below 👇 Let’s cheer each other on midweek 💬💚

Hey ACI fam~ quick update from behind the scenes: We’re starting 2026 off with some intentional quiet. One of our artists is currently recovering from a hand injury (cough cough its me), and we’re also doing a full rebuild of the 3D studio and a big re-org of the 2D space. Basically: new year, new layout, new systems. The energy right now is slow but meaningful~ clearing space, both literally and creatively, so we can bring you the best of what’s next. Question for you all: Are you also doing any resets, reorganizing, or “quiet recalibration” this month? Drop a photo of your workspace, or tell us your ✨reset ritual✨ ~ whether it’s a new planner, a deep clean, or just giving yourself permission to pause. We’d love to see how you’re easing into the year, at your own pace. 💛