I spent a delightfully rainy after noon at Tate's Comics about two weeks ago. Located off University Dr., the bottom floor of the store is dedicated to comic books and related items (hence the name). Bear and Bird Boutique+Gallery overlooks everything from a small loft above, and offers odd and eclectic treasures.
I browsed the Small Stuff collection hosted by Bear&Bird. There were less pieces than I had imagined. It was initially a small collection, and many pieces had been sold by the time I went. Most of them were comic oriented, which isn't exactly my thing, but might have been expected considering the venue.
I enjoyed myself and ended up buying the little piece below by Valentina Ramos. It is a 6x6x1 inch canvas and has an interesting texture as the artist covered the canvas in a collage of maps and newspaper clippings before drawing and painting over it. The ink beta fish swims in layers of blue water color. When I got the piece home and unwrapped it, I found a tiny label on the back with the title "I know where I'm going," an ironic statement at this very indecisive juncture in my life. Appropriately, the piece has found it's happy home just to the left of my front door.
The staff was so down-to-earth and excited I bought a piece of art. They were even more elated when I told them I read about their boutique in Go! magazine (Air Tran's poorly edited attempt at in-flight entertainment) while traveling. Their positive, indie, nerd energy was infectious.
I drove home quite contented. It felt most satisfying to support a family-owned and operated indie business, as well as a local artist.
www.tatescomics.com
They are always having interesting events. Follow them on their blog.
Click to check out the rest of Valentina Ramos' beautiful collection.
The fish with an ironclad grasp on his future.
