Rebekah Firmin
It’s often said that being a “creative,” whether that’s musically, artistically with writing or drawing, or any other form of art, is just a hobby. And when a high school student who has a knack for art considers the prospect of making it their career, fears of it being an unsustainable and low paying “job” might stop them. But what if art was more than just a hobby and more people found ways to make their craft into a profitable way of living? These LCS graduates are proof that you can take a childhood passion and make it into a a career. See how they did it and be inspired.
Rebekah Firmin, who enrolled at LCS in Kindergarten and graduated in 2014, spent most of her youth on campus because her parents were teachers. Her dad, Joe Firmin, was a computer teacher, and her mom, Kathleen Boatwright, was a piano teacher. While at LCS, Rebekah grew extremely close with teachers and would even help them prepare their rooms.
“I was known and loved there, it was like my second home.”
She fondly recalls how her art teacher, Mrs. Harris, provided encouragement that developed her love for art.
“With an opposite personality than me, she was good for me,” Rebekah said, “She pushed my artistic style.”
Inspired to create, Rebekah became an author, a freelance illustrator and an encourager to students by leading Florida Christian Athlete’s Emerging Leader Experience (FCA ELE) program.
“Born with a crayon in her hand,” as Rebekah’s mom would say, Rebekah was often seen drawing on anything she could find. Due to the heartbreaking event of Rebekah’s father passing in 2001, art was not only a creative outlet but also a form of therapy.
“Drawing was a way that I could escape and express what I was feeling or didn’t know what I was feeling,” she said.
As Rebekah grew older, she doubted art could be a stable career, but with encouragement from her graphic design teacher Mrs. Moore, she realized she had a knack for it.
“Where some kids can do math like nobody’s business, that was me with graphic design,” said Rebekah. Mrs. Moore’s class empowered Rebekah to pursue a degree in graphic design at Tallahassee Community College (TCC) before she transferred to Florida State College (FSU) to study history. She moved back home due to health challenges, which she later recognized as God redirecting her toward her purpose. She created a lot of artwork and realized, “Okay, I think I could do something with this.”
As Rebekah embraced her art career, she reached out to former LCS teacher Kelly Riley, now owner of the June Taylor boutique, and former LCS teacher Nikki Hunt, owner of Scout and Tag. They agreed to sell her art, and reflecting on this, Rebekah said, “It was very cool to return to the relationships the Lord had placed in my life over the years.”
Rebekah eventually created her own business, The Mockingbird Artist, after she was inspired by a pastor’s sermon in Tallahassee where he compared the congregation to a mockingbird. Rebekah was “struck” by his message as he explained how a mockingbird repeats the calls that it hears and as a church we should reflect what we hear and see from God.
“That’s what I want my artwork to do for the Lord,” she said, “I want it to reflect His calling. His beauty. His truth.”
Through Mockingbird Artist, she produces custom artwork, designs, and apparel, which are sold in her online shop or locally at Scout and Tag, Pressed Books and Coffee, Vakti Gallery and Bok Tower Gardens.
Rebekah is also a published author. In 2022 she released her first children’s book, My Little Mockingbird, which addresses the challenges of living in a chaotic world and tuning your heart to hearing God’s voice.
“The book has truths I wish I had known as a kid,” she said. Rebekah said the Spirit of the Lord guided her in writing her book and added, “I now know how the disciples felt when the Spirit was helping them write.”
Her hope for this book is that it “plants a seed” in children, helping them recognize the Gospel truths as they grow up.
In addition to her business, Rebekah oversees the FCA Emerging Leader Experience (ELE), which empowers all types of students through a biblical lens in their leadership journey. Rebekah started as a volunteer five years ago, and initially handled graphics, social media and print pieces. Now she plans lessons, hosts meetings, and helps students fundraise for their trips. Through ELE, Rebekah has combined her faith and artistic talents to lead young people and engage with the community.
“Ultimately it’s about seeing Jesus in all of it, whether in my business or at ELE and it’s been fun getting to do it.”