A blank page can feel intimidating, and that's why we love starting Open Studios with a "Fear-Free" invitation...

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This month, at Open Studios, we'll be inviting you to make a spiral-breath drawing to loosen your creative juices. This is the kind of drawing that is meant to be perfectly imperfect.

All you have to do is breathe and let your pen follow!

While we will have all the supplies and facilitation ready for you and yours at Open Studios (Saturday, November 14 from 12-7PM at 903 Whalley Ave, New Haven), you can also easily adapt this practice at home.

We can't wait to see where your breath takes you in this "Fear-Free Spiral Breath Drawing" journey! Tag us @CTcARTie!

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Here's how to make a Fear-Free Spiral-Breath Drawing:

1. Grab a pen and a piece of paper.
2. Make a dot in the center of your paper.
3. Take a long, deep breath in as you spiral outward, from your dot to the edge of your paper.
4. Once you reach the edge, release a long breath out as you spiral back inward, toward the center.
5. Continue moving outward and inward with your breath. You might just cover the whole paper with your pen spirals.

A few gentle tips:

Go at your own pace. If a breath runs out before you reach the edge, just start breathing out right where you are.

Close your eyes for a round. Let yourself be surprised seeing where your spiral goes.

Try a second color. Once your page feels full, switch pens and layer a new set of spirals on top.

Make it a ritual. A single page takes just a few minutes, which makes it an easy reset before/after school or just before bedtime for your children.