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==Early Life and Background==

==Early Life and Background==

Growing up in a family drawn to the outdoors, Rebecca has always experienced a closeness to the natural world. With the supportive encouragement of her parents, and finding a talent in art, she chose to focus her future as a painter in her mid teens.

Growing up in a family drawn to the outdoors, Rebecca has always experienced a closeness to the natural world. With the supportive encouragement of her parents, and finding a talent in art, she chose to focus her future as a painter in her mid teens. The artist began earning numerous top honors in regional competition.  in 1998, Rebecca was awarded runner-up in the US Fish and Wildlife Service's [[Federal Junior Duck Stamp]] program and was honored in [[Washington, D.C]]. for her achievement at the [[National Press Club]], [[Smithsonian]], [[Department of the Interior]], and other locations as well as having her work included on the national tour.<ref>Artist's Biography; Artists for Conservation website natureartists.com</ref> 

The artist participated in her first art expo in 2002 at the invitational "Florida Wildlife Exposition" in [[Lakeland]], [[Florida]], where she was awarded "best of show"<ref>Miniatures competition</ref>.

The artist participated in her first art expo in 2002 at the invitational "Florida Wildlife Exposition" in [[Lakeland]], [[Florida]], where she was awarded "best of show"<ref>Miniatures competition</ref>.