There’s an Ogden Nash poem about Custard the Dragon. Custard lives with a cat, a dog, a mouse, and a girl named Belinda. As it turns out, Custard was a cowardly dragon, but “Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears!”
I’ve made that a new theme in my life.
Take risks, try new things, fail, succeed, be brave as bears.
One of my acts of bravery was saying yes to teaching. I’ve painted, exhibited, joined galleries, done vendor events, but I hadn’t taught an art class. Until recently.
I started out my teaching journey ‘gently’. I facilitated the Life Drawing classes at a local gallery. ‘Facilitated’ is just a fancy way of saying I ran the timer. Then, I took over hosting their monthly family art activity event.
Now, I’m teaching a weekly Adult Drawing Class and a Black and White Oil Painting class.
The thing I’m learning about bravery is that you only need one spurt. The first time you do something is the only time you need that spurt of courage. After that, the thing isn’t new or scary anymore. It’s just regular life.
So here’s to cowardly dragons…and brave Belindas!
