Mermaid sketch 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. She described this as a quick sketch.