Meet The Creative Force Behind The Mockingbird Artist
Welcome to the colorful world of Mockingbird Artist! Rebekah Firmin is the owner, artist, and author behind this vibrant artistic journey. Born and raised in Lakeland, Florida, Rebekah always had a crayon in her hand, using art as a means to process, express, and simply have fun.
After attending college in Tallahassee, life took an unexpected turn when Rebekah returned home in 2016 due to a developing chronic illness. It was during this challenging time that art truly became her sanctuary. What started as a therapeutic hobby soon blossomed into something more.
Encouraged by friends and fellow small business owners Kelly Riley of June Taylor and Nikki Hunt of Scout and Tag, Rebekah took a leap of faith and shared her creations with the world. With their unwavering support, she transformed her passion into a part-time job. In 2019, Rebekah expanded her reach by opening an Etsy shop, and in 2021, she wholeheartedly embraced the path of a full-time artist.
It's a tremendous honor for Rebekah to use her art to connect with people and their stories. Each stroke of the brush and splash of color brings her joy, and she's grateful for the opportunity to share her journey and creations with you all. So, come along and explore the world of Mockingbird Artist, where art becomes a vibrant expression of life.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Rebekah to delve deeper into her experience as a full-time artist and author in Lakeland. Check out the Q&A below to uncover her creative process, sources of inspiration, and the joys and challenges of pursuing her artistic dreams. Get ready for an inspiring and insightful conversation with Rebekah, the creative force behind Mockingbird Artist!
Your artwork features a lot of birds and nature themes. What inspires you to focus on these subjects?
In my freshman year in college, I heard a sermon that challenged me to think about how a Mockingbird reflects and imitates sounds and how humans do the same. We find ourselves constantly bombarded with the noises, opinions, and trends around us. As we take it all in, we let these imitations blend together to create the song by which we live our lives. Viewing myself as a mockingbird, I began to ask myself: What call(s) am I hearing? What is the message or tune I am repeating? Is it one of love, truth, and hope? With these questions in mind, I began to tune my ears to the truths of my Creator and follow His call for my artwork to reflect the beauty of His world. I think it is funny that a lot of my artwork features nature themes because I am definitely more of an indoor girl. Art allows me to explore and enjoy nature without having to go outside, lol. I love studying and appreciating the intricacies of each flower petal, the veins in different leaves, the texture of the bark, and the shape of each cloud.
How has living in Lakeland influenced your art?
After high school, I had zero plans of returning to Lakeland. I was ready to claim my independence and see where the Lord would take me. As the tides began to turn and the Lord brought me back to Lakeland, I began to see the city with new eyes and appreciation. How many people get to live in a city surrounded by such beauty and support? The lakes, wildlife, irons gates, historic houses, gardens, parks, and the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture! Who wouldn’t be inspired? As mentioned above, I also had an incredible network of people in my life who saw my talent, offered encouragement and guidance, cheered my successes, and joined in my failures. I have been beyond blessed to grow up in Lakeland and return to make it my home.
Can you describe your creative process and how you come up with your ideas?
A lot of my ideas are inspired by the places and people in my life. One of the first pieces I made after being diagnosed with a chronic illness was a gift for a friend who was leaving Lakeland. I wanted her to take a little piece of the town with her, so I made “Lakeland Main,” which featured bubbles with Lakeland landmarks on it and is now sold in Scout and Tag. As with many of my projects, I started by thinking through places and landmarks that were original and historical to Lakeland, created rough sketches of each, chose a color scheme, and then started creating the final artwork.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are just starting out?
Don’t worry about what other people are doing, creating, or sharing. Art is about creating what YOU love at YOUR own pace and preserving YOUR experience, emotions, dreams, etc.
Don’t be afraid to practice! Just like an athlete or a musician, artists have creative muscles that need to be trained and kept active. Create a regular block of time to study a photo, a movie, a painting, a sculpture, fashion lines, etc., to focus on the use of shapes, contrast, colors, and textures. Creativity comes from anywhere, and studying things you like will help develop your own style and skill.
Find a network of people who you can ask questions, share ideas, and inspire each other. I am not a numbers girl or a business major, so I quickly attached myself to people who could guide me in these things to make sure the business side of being an artist wouldn’t burden the creative side.
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your children's book, My Little Mockingbird? What message do you hope children and parents take away from reading your book?
As mentioned before, the idea of a Mockingbird came from a sermon I heard that shaped my artistic mindset. Since that sermon, I have viewed myself as a mockingbird, striving to let my art and story reflect the truths of my Creator. When I came home in 2016, I was in a rough place, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I found myself overwhelmed by the voices around me, drowning in anxiety and being pulled to the bottom by depression. In this time, the Lord used another sermon to meet me in my weakness, teaching me to quiet my heart, tune my ears to the call of my Creator and listen to the melody He sings over me: You are loved, you are never alone, and all that was lost is being restored.
Even on the days when your world feels small, and anxieties creep in, you can ask God to quiet your heart and listen to the melody He sings over you: You are loved (on your best days and your worst), you are never alone (not even for one moment, second, hour or day), and all that was lost is being restored (when all seems lost and dark, you can rely on my light to restore hope and peace on your journey home).
With these truths in my heart, I penned a much longer version of “My Little Mockingbird,” and the Lord impressed on me that others needed these truths as well. A children’s book had been on my heart, so I began to simplify the story hoping to bring truth into their ever-growing world.
What has been the response to My Little Mockingbird from children and parents who have read it?
I have been overwhelmed with the love for “My Little Mockingbird”! It has been such a joy in my life, and I am honored that the Lord continues to use it for His glory. Here are some reviews:
Bill & Pam Mutz - Lakeland Mayor + Wife "What a refreshing story sparking the imagination and positive expectations through the eyes of a Mockingbird. It brings delighted joy to the eyes of young listeners."
Christina Needham - Owner of Pressed Books and Coffee “My family and I love My Little Mockingbird! The story captured my children's attention through the rich colored illustrations and the feelings the Little Mockingbird experiences. We fell in love with the sweet Mockingbird, and in the end, felt the hope of the message behind the story.”
Ida Mundell - Access Church LKLD Kids Pastor + Author of Goodnight Lakeland “A treasure of a book! As a mom of 4 and a Kids Pastor, I wholeheartedly believe that kids long to hear the messages of love and hope whimsically woven throughout this book. What a special gift to share with my family!”
Looking ahead to the future, what are your goals for your artistic career? Do you have plans to write more children's books in the future? If so, can you give us a hint about what they might be about?
This is a fun question. I would love to write and publish another book! I had a ton of ideas for little stories, but I am waiting for the Lord to give me the time and the words, just as He did for “My Little Mockingbird.” Writing has always been a steady and personal activity for me, just as much as art. I would love to do a sequel to “My Little Mockingbird” that follows her on her next journey and discovery of truth. My notes app is littered with story ideas, so we will see what takes form first.
I always try to keep my future open to possibilities and never plan too far ahead, leaving room for the Lord to bring things to me.
Rebekah Firmin's journey as the owner, artist, and author of My Little Mockingbird is a testament to the power of art as a means of self-expression, healing, and connection. From her humble beginnings with a crayon in hand to becoming a full-time artist, Rebekah's dedication and passion shine through in every stroke of her brush and word on the page. Through her art, she not only tells her own story but also creates a platform for others to share theirs. As we wrap up, we invite you to explore Rebekah's work, support local artists, and embrace the transformative power of art in your own life. Cheers to The Mockingbird Artist and the thriving artistic community in Lakeland!