I’ve browsed most of the antique shops in town at one time or another over the past year, but it was only recently I stopped into Found Images at 824 Travis Street, across from 9th St. Studio. I was amazed to see the selection of artwork, statuettes, Mexican folk art, and antiques about the place.
Catherine Miles and her brother Jon have had this store here for the last 25 years. Interestingly enough, when I asked Cathy about the antique store she told me that she is a manufacturer mostly. “We make lamps, lamp shades, pillows, bags, some clothing, and tee shirts,” she said. “We’ve been doing this for 30 years. Some of our products have been in movies and commercials. We had a lamp in ‘Ace Ventura- Pet Detective’, a lamp shade with a ski image was in a Nyquil commercial during the winter Olympics, Farrah Fawcett wore one of our shirts in a made-for-tv movie, and a little boy wore one of our shirts in the movie ‘Blank Check’.”
But there is more to Cathy’s resume than a manufacturer. “I’m a photographer, too. I graduated from MSU with a photography, print making, and sculpting degree.”
“I’m also a picker. I buy and re-sell. We pick up things at art shows, wholesale shows, antique and vintage shows. We are known as the store that’s never open because we travel a lot, but we’re trying to spend more time here at home.”
She is currently preparing to make a trip to Round Top, Texas from October 2 through the 6th, to the biggest antique and art show in the country. Cathy says she will be set up at Marburger Farms selling her wares, things she picks, and dealing with designers from all over the country. “Everyone should check this out,” she says. In addition, she will have some artwork at the alumni show at Midwestern on October 9, and a display at the Kemp Center For The Arts starting November 1st called ‘Pink’, featuring all women artists from Wichita Falls.
Yes, Cathy and Jon are very busy people, but if you are around 9th and Travis you may want to stop in to see all the wonderful things they have in their store. Maybe you’ll get lucky and find them there. 😉
~Tim Maloney
