Who am I?
Good morning pipples of all ages.
I'm Amanda—though you might know me as MandoMc, or hear folks call me Mrs. Meltrin. I'm a Pennsylvania girl in a Texas world, and let me tell you—not everything is bigger in Texas. When I ordered my first “large” snowball and got something closer to a medium?
Major dissapointment.
Where It All Began
My art journey started around 1999–2000. Back then, it was therapy—a way to process childhood trauma and make sense of a world that didn’t always make sense. Over time, it became something more: a space for relaxation, problem-solving, and quiet joy.
My First Maps
I drew my first maps during World Cultures class in high school (circa 2004–2005). We were studying Africa and India. I spent hours painstakingly drawing the coastlines onto poster board straight from the textbook. I loved it.
You’d think I stick with it, right?
Yeah......No.
How It Found Me Again
by MandoMc Designs
Fast forward to 2018–2019. I stumbled upon an incredible author and got completely swept into her books—but I struggled to visualize her world. So I made a cheatsheet map for Silver City. Then another. And another. And another. Somewhere along the way, I got hooked.
Around the same time, I fell into the world of online TTRPGs with friends. Again, I found myself trying to picture the worlds our DM was crafting. I started with map software, but I turned to my husband one day and said, “I want to learn how to build these better.”
That led to paid courses from Deven Rue, tutorials from Daniel's Maps and Map Effects, and a whole lot of trial, error, and obsession. I started drawing larger maps. I haven’t stopped.
What I Create Now
I worldbuild for myself, for my DM, and sometimes for anyone who wanders into my orbit and needs a little magic. I've become the keeper of maps, lore fragments, and lovingly over-planned visuals for our stories. And yes, I might be a glutton for punishment—but who's really counting?
When I'm not drawing, I'm homeschooling my two children, helping with a local homeschool co-op, or chasing magic in my house, craft room, or iPad.
I blend worldbuilding with planning, mapping with meaning, and sometimes—when it feels right—I share my creations so others can build their own stories, too.
Because that’s what this has always been for me: A way to find clarity in chaos.
A map when I didn’t know the way.
A quiet place to land—and dream.
Check out the Store
Grab ready made images in png and goodnotes sticker book formats.The Redbubble shop
by Eldee Studios
Comments