Friends by Amanda MacFarlane

      Amanda MacFarlane is a self-taught artist who grew up in Africa in a home without electric power. Drawing was a constant in her life. She became a sensation on Instagram as @theanimatedlife by posting her artwork and gathering a following of fans including professional artists. While living where her Army husband is stationed and raising three daughters, she is able to do some professional animation work remotely. I first heard her name on the Bancroft Brothers Animation Podcast: The Amanda MacFarlane interview. I looked over her pieces on Instagram and she nearly always came up with winners. My friend Colin was already a fan and customer. He suggested I commission a piece during her October 2020 opportunity. I offered her three choices and she drew up pencil prelims for all three. I went with casual Mulan as she appeared in Wreck-It Ralph 2. I am thoroughly happy with the commission experience. I picked up a couple pieces from her Etsy shop in 2022. In November, the artist offered a good number of originals for inexpensive prices . I bought 12 pieces over several days as she posted in batches. This watercolor depicts the crow Jeremy and the mouse Mrs. Brisby from the Don Bluth film The Secret of NIHM.