Mass Ave. Adventure

Last weekend, my sister and I got away for a little R&R.  We headed to Indianapolis and checked out the Keystone Fashion Mall and then made our way downtown to explore Massachusetts Avenue.   Mass Ave., as it's affectionately known by locals, is a very cool street just outside downtown chock full of theaters, restaurants, and awesome little shops.  Most people would think that Indiana doesn't offer as much trendy and exciting shopping opportunities as say, Chicago!  And they would be right!  But there are some very fun places in Indy, if you only know where to look!  I love going to new places.  It sparks my creativity and adds to that storehouse of inspiration that I sometimes run low on back in Fort Wayne.  I love Fort Wayne and I think I always will, but cosmopolitan it ain't!  Sometimes a girl just needs to spend some time in the big city.  And since Indy is getting it's own Ikea soon, I think it finally qualifies as a big city!

We had a blast, got some good sister time in, ate some great food at Elevation Burger at the mall and then dinner at Pizzology on Mass Ave.  And of course, we did some shopping!  I can't wait to go back with Mike in tow!  So, without further ado, here are a few highlights from our trip!

Exciting Changes Astound!

Well, I've finally gotten around to a new blog post!  I'm sure it has nothing to do with the 15.6 pound bundle of 4 month old joy that is my daughter.  Okay, it has everything to do with her!  She's such a beautiful and wonderful little girl, but boy does she eat up time!  I've been attempting to adjust to our new life and how that all shakes out for my illustration as well.

Hey, Mom, what's up?

Hey, Mom, what's up?

And on that note, at the beginning of the new year, I got a new agent!  I haven't said much about it, because I've been so preoccupied with Coral, and I haven't really done much illustration work during maternity leave either.  But now it's go time!  My new agents at Astound have been absolutely wonderful and right now I am polishing up some ideas for them to take to Bologna Book Fair.  Yes, you heard that right BOLOGNA.  Like in Italy!   The biggest Children's book fair of them all!  I am really excited!  Sadly, I don't personally get to go to Italy, but maybe next time!

Springtime is just around the corner here in Indiana!

I think this year is going to be one of those crazy, whirlwind years!  I have alot of hope for the future.  Every time I look at my daughter, I see what exciting times are ahead.  Right now she may only want to eat books (literally), but soon she'll be devouring words and pictures and taking them all to heart!  What an incredible profession I get to be a part of!

 

Coral's Arrival

So I haven't posted much on the blog lately, and that is understandable considering Mike and I just welcomed a beautiful baby girl into our household on November 5th.  She's incredible, but she's also pretty much a full time job right now!  No one can prepare you for how much you'll love your child, or for how many diapers you will change! 

Having said that, there are exciting things in the works for Talitha Shipman Illustration!  More on that in a future post!

I'll leave you with a huge dose of cuteness.  Our little baby Coral Elizabeth!

"I cannot say how much I love this new little girl! #babygirl #pinkblanket #newbaby #mylove"

Best Buds

I've been working on a manuscript that revolves around a rather grumpy hedgehog.  I put it away for a while, but it's been on my mind lately, and after finishing up another book dummy, I thought I'd do another sketch with this little guy.  I was researching turtles as well for the dummy and it seemed right to stick the hedgehog up on his shell.  They are two animals that have a tough exterior but these guys have become best friends.